12-25-04

"The greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fall." - Confucius

Last Motivator of the year: A sure sign that u're chasing happiness 2 no avail is the phrase "if only," as in "if only I had a new car, then I'd b happy" or "if only I had a better job, then I'd b happy." It's great 2 have higher & higher ambitions. Yet when u make ur happiness conditional, u never seem 2 b able 2 meet all the conditions.A better strategy is not 2 chase happiness but 2 make it right where u r. Rather than putting conditions on ur happiness, simply allow it 2 b. Could u b happy right now, right here? Of course. Bi all means pursue ur dreams. Make things better. & enjoy each moment along the way.There's no need 2 wait 4 happiness. U don't get it bi chasing it. YOU have it bi living it! ..& that is what I will do on vacation :-)

12-24-04

"The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does." - Confucius

Motivator: Life can b as full, rich & joyful & u're willing 2 make it. There's absolutely no reason 2 put it off until later. U'll only cheat urself out of the golden days that can b urs.
Stop 4 a moment & consider ur dreams, ur hopes & ur ambitions. They r urs 4 a reason. They r urs because u r in the best position 2 follow & fulfill them. They r urs because they will compel u 2 make a positive difference in ur own special way.2day is the time 4 action, 4 commitment, 4 living with purpose & positive direction. 2day is an opportunity 4 u 2 b the best u can be bi making progress toward ur own special dreams.

12-23-04

"Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control. These three alone lead to sovereign power." -Lord Alfred Tennyson

Motivator: The things u do not attempt, u will surely not achieve. Though u may have great excuses & justifications 4 not taking action, those excuses will bring no value 2 ur life or 2 the world around u. Hiding behind excuses simply does not bring that joy or sense of fulfillment. Undertaking an ambitious project is rarely easy. It can often b uncomfortable & challenging. & there is no guarantee of success. Yet the alternative is far worse. Never attempting anything is indeed a guarantee -- a guarantee of failure. B bold. Get in the game. Jump in & make a difference. Set ur goals high, & then commit 2 reaching them through ur actions. It won't b easy. It will b great!

12-22-04

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." -Agatha Christie

Motivator: U can hide things about urself from just about any1, but u can't really hide them from urself. U know what u're up 2, & that's important. Because the person u r 2 b-cum tomorrow is always watching the person u r 2day. U know who u r (hopefully LOL) right now, u know what u're doing, what ur motivations r, what kind of attitude u maintain. U know & control the real u. Let the person u r 2day push u forward, positively in2 the future. Soon u'll look back on 2day, & what u c can either give u strength or bring u regret. Choose ur actions so that what u do 2day will truly make YOU stronger tomorrow.

12-21-04

"Enthusiasm is the best protection in any situation. Wholeheartedness is contagious. Give yourself, if you wish to get others." -David Seabury

Motivator: Have the courage 2 dream great dreams. U're worthy of greatness.When u focus on just getting bi, that's the most u'll b able 2 do. Yet when u set ur sights higher, when u dare 2 dream big dreams, when u make the effort 2 make a difference, those same moments u would have spent just getting bi will bring u, & ur world, so much more. Once this day is over, u cannot go back & reclaim it. What a waste it would b if u failed 2 squeeze every last drop of living & joy love & achievement from it. If ur aim is 2 just get through the day, if ur goal is 2 just get bi, aim higher. U're spending the moments, so make them really count. Start right now 2 live the greatness YOU were born 2 live.

12-20-04

"Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point." --Harold B. Melchart

Motivator: Here's a suggestion that will make 2day a great day. Find a way 2 look forward 2 & enjoy everything that u must do 2day. That's easy 2 say, but is it really possible? Of course! 1st, there r things u will genuinely enjoy doing. U should have no problem looking forward 2 them. That leaves all the other things -those tasks which may b unpleasant or uncomfortable or otherwise undesirable. The good news is that u can look forward 2 them with even more anticipation, because rather than looking forward 2 doing them u can genuinely look forward 2 having them done & behind u. Don't forget that when u enjoy what u r doing, YOU naturally b-cum more effective at it!

12-15-04

"You can have anything you want -- if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose." ...by one of my heroes ... Abraham Lincoln

Motivator: If someone else is doing something that has the potential 2 annoy u, u actually have a choice. U can choose 2 b annoyed, but why would u choose that? Or, u can choose 2 do something else, something more positive & productive. The behavior of others is largely their problem, not urs. Yet when u choose 2 let it annoy u, it does b-cum ur problem bi stealing ur time & attention. Instead, look past them. Put the annoying behavior of others out of ur mind & get busy on something positive & worthwhile.The energy u spend on b-ing annoyed can b put 2 much better use in other, more productive pursuits. & it's not even pleasant 2 b annoyed, so why let urself b? Refuse 2 give an annoying person power over ur time, ur thoughts & ur energy. Choose 2 ignore them!

12-14-04

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate accomplishments." -- Napoleon Hill

Motivator: B thankful 4 this day, & u will fill it with joy. B appreciative of those around u, & they will bring much value 2 ur life. B grateful 4 ur opportunities, & u'll find urself making the most of them. B thankful 4 what u have, & u'll get more from it. B grateful 4 the challenges, & they will help u b-cum stronger. Appreciate the dark, cloudy days & they'll instantly b-cum brighter. Appreciate the sunny days, & u'll enjoy them even more.Those things u take 4 granted will fade from usefulness as u forget they're even there. Bi contrast, those things 4 which u're thankful remain readily available & will grow even stronger as a result of ur appreciative attention. The more u count ur blessings, the more there will b 2 count.

12-13-04

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." -- Henry Ford

Motivator: Make it a point 2 do something 2day 4 someone special, someone whom u often take 4 granted, someone who deserves ur full & cumplete support --YOURSELF ! B-ing good 2 urself is not b-ing selfish. It doesn't mean u must ignore others. Rather, it makes u able 2 offer more value 2 the other people in ur world when u take good care of urself. Putting urself down is of no benefit 2 any1. Helping urself 2 grow & build will provide u with more 2 give.B positive with urself. B kind & generous with urself. When was the last time u did something nice 4 urself? U deserve some special attention. B good 2 urself & that goodness will overflow in2 the world & the people around YOU. Articles from my personal experience....

12-10-04

"To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals - that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him." --Honore De Balzac

Motivator: In just 1 day u can go from b-ing filled with despair 2 b-ing filled with excitement about ur positive possibilities. In just 1 day, u can set urself solidly on a course toward the achievement of ur most treasured desires. 1 day is plenty of time 2 make a major difference in ur life & in the lives of those around u. 1 day, filled with positive thoughts & decisive, effective actions can have an impact that reaches far in2 the future. & when that 1 day is over, there is another 1, filled with just as many opportunities, right behind it. When u live 1 day 2 the fullest, it's amazing what a difference u can make. When u string together day after day after day of positive, effective thoughts & actions, the result is nothing short of miraculous.

12-9-04

He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king.
--John Milton

Motivator: Start right now 2 achieve the goals u've set 4 urself. Those goals, those possibilities r 2 important 2 let them go stale. There is something u can do right now 2 move toward them.Get busy & do it.There is some initial action u can take.Get busy & take it.Who is the person u have always wanted 2 b-cum?What is the lifestyle u've always wished 4? Wishing is not enough.Intention is not enough.At some point u must take action 2 achieve those things u truly desire. That point is right now. Now is ur opportunity 2 act. Now is when ur goals, ur dreams, ur ambitions begin 2 b-cum a reality. There's no need 2 put off the fulfillment of ur best possibilities 4 another moment.Start now, take action, keep going & experience the incomparable thrill of making YOUR dreams a reality.

12-8-04

"Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer." --Anonymous

Motivator: Don't concern urself with b-ing better than everyone else. That will mainly get u resentment, disappointment, or both. Focus instead on b-ing better today than u were yesterday, on being even better tomorrow than u r today. When u compare urself 2 others, u'll either end up b-ing disappointed or u'll end up b-ing arrogant. Instead, compare urself 2 urself. The important thing is 2 make progress in ur own life. Upstaging someone else simply won't bring u any true gain. Improving urself will.We all share certain things in common, yet no 2 people r the same. There is no 1 who is better than u. At the same time, u r better than no 1 else. U r unique. Stop worrying about everyone else & u'll free up enormous energy 2 b the best YOU can b.

12-6-04

"I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we face them, that constitutes our comfort." --Elizabeth T. King

Motivator: Let urself enjoy being u today. Allow the anger, the anxiety, the frustration & the stress 2 fall away. Stop assuming that u must b negative just because of ur circumstances.There r challenges, there is beauty, there is pain, there is joy. Immerse urself in it all & enjoy the intensity of ur living experience. The harsh words directed ur way keep u focused. The kindnesses build ur faith. The disappointments give u wisdom and perspective. The triumphs make it all worthwhile. In every moment there is every possibility. Could anything b more sublime? Live those moments with an unquestionable sense of enjoyment. They're urs 2 live, 2 experience, 2 mold and 2 elevate. Don't fall down in2 the world. Bring it up 2 YOU, & enjoy.

12-3-04

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful." --Sigmund Freud

Motivator: There is enormous power in the fact that something so all-encompassing as ur attitude can b changed so quickly. The key thing 2 keep in mind about ur attitude is that it is urs. Though anything can influence it, u control it. U have final authority over ur attitude. Bi exercising that control, u can literally change ur world. U say there r certain things which put u in a bad mood. Yet the truth is that u put urself in a bad mood. It is a way in which u choose 2 respond. What if u were 2 make a different choice? Those "bad mood" things would no longer have control over u, & ur precious time could b used moving forward rather than feeling miserable.What if YOU were 2 choose 2 b in a good mood more often? Imagine the positive possibilities!

12-2-04

"Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end." -- Earl Douglas Haig

Motivator: When things rn't going ur way, do something about it. Is something bothering u? Is there something u're concerned about? Once u start 2 take action, the whole dynamic of the situation begins 2 change immediately. Rather than suffering under a negative influence, u're busy making a positive difference. That will change ur outlook 4 the better. It will improve ur energy level. It will enable u 2 c the positive possibilities. Start moving urself forward, & the force which had been working against u begins 2 move in ur favor. U're alive, intelligent, aware, experienced & capable of making things happen. Every moment is ur opportunity 2 make use of ur incredible good fortune. Life can indeed b great when u make up YOUR mind 2 do something about it.

12-1-04

"So, then, to every man his chance -- to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining golden opportunity -- to every man his right to live, to work, to be himself, to become whatever his manhood and his vision can combine to make him -- this, seeker, is the promise of America." -- Thomas Wolfe

Motivator: The greatest triumphs can rise from the most devastating defeats. When all is lost, there is everything 2 gain. Never, ever can u b so far down that u're unable 2 pull urself back up. There is always a way 2 transform loss in2 victory. Rejoice in the good fortune of having made it through a bad experience & then set 2 work 2 turn it around. Challenge urself 2 b a turnaround specialist in ur own life, in ur own world. Look 4 challenging situations & pull the positive possibilities out of them. Make it ur job 2 redirect the enormous amount of energy around u in2 positive pursuits, & the world will marvel at what YOU accomplish.

11-30-04

"To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind." --William Hazlitt

Motivator: The joy of accomplishment makes most other pleasures seem empty & trivial bi comparison. Anything u accomplish bi ur own effort is truly urs, & the delightful fulfillment it brings can never b taken from u. While others fight over the meager crumbs of getting & possessing & upholding appearances, set ur own direction on the much less crowded road 2 true accomplishment. Rather than worrying about what u'll get, focus on what u can create. Ur mind, ur body, ur five senses make u ideally suited & equipped 4 overcoming obstacles & accomplishing things. How have u used ur valuable skills & resources today? Want 2 feel great about urself? Then set a goal & accomplish it. Make full use of ur incredible ability 2 make a difference, & experience how great life can b.

11-29-04

"Life's about friendships, the way you love your partner, the way you care for your children. That is what life is about. Not anything about earning a hundred zillion dollars because you toured America more than anyone else. I want life to be about creativity." -- Joe Strummer

Motivator: Ur own thoughts r much more closely connected 2 u than they r 2 anyone else. So take care with them. Even if ur negative thoughts r about someone else, the person who is most harmed bi those thoughts is u. Ur thoughts have a way of b-cuming ur reality, even without conscious effort on ur part. Don't waste 2 many of them on frivolous & trivial things. Make sure they don't lead u in2 a negative mindset or destructive actions. Use ur thoughts 2 improve the quality of ur life & the world around u. They're powerful, & they r urs 2 control & direct. Make the most of ur thoughts & ur living reality will reflect the effort.

11-28-04

"No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work." --Mother Teresa

Motivator: Pay attention. Watch. Listen. Success doesn't just give clues. Success shouts specific instructions 2 anyone who takes the time & the trouble 2 notice them. Pay attention not only 2 those u wish 2 follow, but, more importantly, 2 those u aim 2 serve. If u're selling something, know ur customer. If u're performing, know ur audience. If u're writing, know ur readers. The world will tell u how 2 make it urs if u'll just pay it some sincere respect. Open ur eyes & c the wealth of opportunities 2 make a + difference. Get out & get involved. B curious. B genuine. If the market is not beating a path 2 ur door, make it ur business 2 discover ways 2 b of true, genuine service & YOUR days will b full indeed.

11-25-04

"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods


Motivator: For every desire u have, no matter how far out of reach it may seem, there is a part of that desire, at some level, which can b fulfilled right now. If u desire a shiny new jeep (lol like mine) or a sports car, ask urself why. Don't b satisfied with an answer of "who wouldn't?" Make a real & sincere effort 2 uncover the deep & driving connection between the desire & ur true self. What if, at the heart of it, ur desire 4 a sports car was driven bi the simple desire 2 feel the cool wind in ur face? All too often, we r ashamed at the raw simplicity of our desires, & we seek 2 hide them in complexity. Most desires r simple & wonderful. Acknowledge their true essence, & u're well on ur way toward their fulfillment.

11-24-04

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

Motivator: Those things u'r "trying" 2 do usually never seem 2 get done. U can convince urself that u'r trying. U can announce 2 others that u'r trying. Yet only when u're actually doing will u get anything accomplished. What would happen if u eliminated "trying" from ur vocabulary? 4 1 thing, it would force u 2 b more specific. Instead of saying "I'm trying 2 get the job finished" u would have 2 say specifically what u've done so far. If u didn't have "trying" 2 fall back on, perhaps u'd b more apt 2 go ahead & really get it done. Making a sincere effort is great, but a vaguely focused "trying" is of little use. Take care that u'r not trying 2 much & actually doing 2 little. Forget about trying. Get up and get busy doing.

11-23-04

"When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy." --Samuel Goldwyn

Motivator: Rather than waste ur time & effort on useless complaints, invest urself in improving the situation. Moving forward will get u much farther than moving against. There r those who complain, who take pride in being a victim. & then there r those who c the enormous opportunity that comes from making a situation better. Which approach makes the most sense 2 u? If there's something u don't like, make it better. It's not that big of a step from c-ing something as undesirable & visualizing how it can b better. Put some effort behind YOUR vision. Don't just stand there complaining. Make it better!

11-22-04

"I don't think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it. I think if you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done." -- Mike Ditka

Motivator: Rarely will u ever accomplish more than u expect 2 accomplish. So get in the habit of expecting the best. Ur expectations bi themselves do not create ur reality, but they do indeed set the direction 4 it. What do u expect 2 achieve today, this week, or this month? How do u expect other people 2 relate 2 u? Expectations guide our actions. When we know what is expected it gives us a clear plan 4 exactly what 2 do. If u expect the day 2 b dreary and boring, most likely it will b. When u expect the day 2 b productive and fulfilling, u'll find urself acting 2 satisfy those expectations. Make it a point 2 expect the best, and then commit 2 following those expectations.

11-21-04

"The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself." --George Bernard Shaw

Motivator: Get ready. Here it comes! Another day. Another 24 hours in which 2 move forward, 2 get things done, 2 learn, 2 grow, 2 live and enjoy. In the next 24 hours someone, somewhere will move forward with a decision that will create great wealth. In the next 24 hours someone, somewhere will fall in love, and it will last a lifetime. In the next 24 hours someone, somewhere could make a discovery that will change the world. It is a fertile period of time just waiting 2 b used. What do u have planned 4 it? Today is the day 2 act. If not today, when? It's a fabulous opportunity. No 1 anywhere in the world has more time than u do in the next 24 hours. It's plenty of time 2 plant the seeds 4 magnificent accomplishments.

11-19-04

"Cowardice asks, is it safe ? Expediency asks, Is it polite ? Vanity asks, Is it popular ? but con-science asks, Is it right?"


Motivator: U've often heard that what u focus on grows, & indeed it is true. Perhaps the most powerful & accessible way 2 focus on the + is through gratitude. Take care not 2 unnecessarily limit ur gratitude. B thankful not only 4 the shiny, new, easy, generous, happy, delicious things but also 4 the things which may not at first appear 2 b blessings. Find a way 2 b thankful 4 the difficulties. Somewhere in each of them is something +. Thanksgiving certainly takes more effort when it is directed toward the disappointments as well as the joys. That effort is returned, though, many times over. It enables u 2 connect with the + aspect of each situation. Find a way 2 b thankful 4 it all, & YOU'll uncover value & abundance in every direction.

11-18-04

"The great thing and the hard thing is to stick to things when you have outlived the first interest, and not yet got the second, which comes with a sort of mastery." --Janet Erskine Stuart

Motivator: No circumstance has the power 2 distract u from the direction u have chosen. Anything that knocks u off track does so because u have allowed it 2. Keep in mind that u give power 2 ur circumstances. The world around u can influence u 2 the extent that u allow it. There is a part of u that no 1, no thing can ever touch without ur participation. The direction in which u point & focus that essential core of ur being will largely determine the quality of ur life. Pain & pleasure may both b quite compelling, yet they r outside of who u really r. Keep that ever in mind, & b true 2 YOUR greatest possibilities.

11-17-04

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." --Helen Keller

Motivator: Some days r more beautiful without the sun shining brightly. Some days, the cold, bitter wind feels good against my face. Some days, the dark clouds impart a sense of hope & comfort. There is beauty not only in the obvious, but also in the subtle -- perhaps even more. It is the amount of beauty that makes it so sublime. That a dark, cold day can b just as wonderful as a bright, sunny 1, is a monumental testament 2 the beauty of life itself. Excitement comes also in quiet moments. Love is present during lonely times. Satisfaction is found even with hunger & desire. Hope is possible even amidst despair. Drink in the richness of the whole, beautiful world which exists beyond the obvious.

11-16-04

"Fate is the friend of the good, the guide of the wise, the tyrant of the foolish, the enemy of the bad."


Motivator: It's important 2 develop ur abilities. But there's no sense in developing them unless u also put them 2 use. Get ready. Prepare. B-cum competent. & then b sure 2 make something of it. Excellence cums from preparation, yet the excellence is not in the preparation alone. It is nothing without the performance. Learn & rehearse ur lines, then walk on stage 2 face the audience. Train and practice, then step on2 the competitive field of play. Write, revise, and edit, then publish ur work 4 the world 2 c. Prepare with diligence, & then do the thing YOU've prepared so well 2 do.

11-15-04

"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." -- Jack London

Motivator: The world is filled with beauty. But who is it 4? It is 4 u, who can appreciate & enjoy it. Just think how very special u must b that u have such joy available 2 u. Dreams r 4 u who can follow them. Success is 4 u who can achieve it. Desire is 4 u who can b moved bi it. Life is 4 u, who can live it. Just 2 take 1 breath after another, 2 have all this in view & within ur reach, is a blessing that has no =. It's all here 4 u. Feel 4 a moment the true depth of what u have in front of u, and YOU cannot help but make the very best of every beautiful portion.

11-11-04

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them." -- Emerson

Motivator: Will u choose 2 b healthy or will u choose 2 pursue illness? Will u choose 2 make a difference or will u choose 2 b indifferent? Will u choose 2 create value or will u choose 2 create excuses? Whatever happens beyond ur control is, 4 the most part, no more than a background 4 ur own will and actions. Ur circumstances r not what make u or break u -- it's what u choose 2 do about them. Think of each moment as a choice. Don't fool urself in2 thinking that u'r just automatically reacting 2 the world around u. Each thing u do is the result of a choice u have made at some point. 2 get where u would like 2 go, make the choices that will take YOU there.

11-10-04

"A professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn't feel like it." -- Alistair Cooke

Motivator: Those who know real success and fulfillment understand the fallacy, waste and impossibility of seeking something for nothing. Winners and achievers know that nothing can flow 2 them unless there is something flowing from them, that consumption is impossible without production. At a fundamental level, getting and giving r the same. That's why those who seek 2 avoid giving, come up empty. And those who offer the most of themselves enjoy commensurate abundance. In ur decisions, ur relationships, ur plans and ambitions, keep in mind that the value u receive from anything is in direct proportion 2 the value u put in2 it. Life is an opportunity 2 make a difference that only u can make. Do, and u will b. Create, and YOU will have. Only from experience do I tell this. :x Marco

11-9-04

"In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes." -- John Ruskin

Motivator: Life is immense. If u could c the entire universe all at once it would b overwhelming. Everything u know and can comprehend fits, with room 2 spare, in just a tiny, obscure corner of creation. There is always something new 2 discover. There is always another possibility. There is always more than u can c. The wonder never ends. No matter how vast ur horizons may seem 2 b, u can always expand them further. Whatever limits u may have known in the past can b transcended. Whatever borders u have lived within can b crossed. Imagine the possibilities, and know that even ur imagination falls short of the magnificence in which u r immersed. Life is truly a wonder and YOU have it. Proceed accordingly.

11-8-04

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of." -- Benjamin Franklin

Motivator: Y did u get out of bed this morning? Y r u reading this message? Look @ ur list of things 2 do today. Y has each item been added 2 the list? 4 what reasons do u work, love, play, strive and pray? U've gotten good at going through the routine, but perhaps u've lost touch with the reasons y u'r doing it all in the 1st place. Stop 4 a moment and think about y. The reasons r there. Buried under the noisy complications of daily life is the person u truly wish 2 b & things which u long 2 achieve. In some way, whatever u'r doing @ any moment is connected 2 those reasons. When u remember y, u get where u wish 2 go with much more speed & effectiveness. Take the time & make the effort 2 stay in touch with y. Know what drives u, and let it take u wherever u wish 2 go.

11-7-04

"The direst foe of courage is the fear itself, not the object of it, and the man who can overcome his own terror is a hero and more." -- George MacDonald

Motivator: Sit up straight. Lift ur head up. Lift ur eyes. Take a long, deep breath, and smile. Though things may be far from perfect 4 u, act like it's a great day 2 b alive. Because it is. Keep a smile on ur face and in ur voice. Put a spring in ur step. Act like u would act if u were the most confident, successful, joyful person in ur town. Speak 2 others in kind and positive terms. Think and speak 2 urself the same way. Embrace the challenges and see their positive possibilities. There is no need 2 delay, even 4 another moment, the fulfillment that life can bring. See the world around u 4 what it is, and know that it cannot bring u down. Live today as if it is the best day u could possibly imagine. And in doing that YOU make it so.

11-5-04

"True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess." --Louis Nizer

Motivator: Nothing seems so out of reach as that which u have not yet begun. The moment u get started, the task b-comes infinitely more achievable. Action is what seals ur commitment 2 achieving anything. The sooner u get started after deciding 2 do something, the more likely u'll get it done. Even if the initial step is small, it is vitally important because it sets the direction 4 ur momentum. Act quickly, and then keep going. There's always something u can do. Once u've started, and as u go along, u won't just think u can do it -- u'll know that YOU already r.

11-4-04

"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." -Phillips Brooks

Motivator: Why is it that, in a world where we'r able 2 do so much, we have time 2 do so little? Perhaps this is because it is very easy 2 us 2 spend more time developing our capabilities than we spend actually using them. Certainly u want 2 b capable and effective, but take care not 2 b-come a slave 2 mere capabilities. Don't put so much time and effort in2 being able 2 do something that there's no time or energy remaining 2 actually do it. Preparation is vital. Yet at some point the preparation needs 2 end so the actual doing can begin. Being highly prepared means very little if nothing is ever attempted. Learn by doing, not at the expense of doing. Rather than collecting empty, unused capabilities, develop ur capabilities in response 2 the challenges YOU undertake.

11-3-04

"If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man, -- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil." --James A. Garfield

Motivator: Resentment is a kind of attachment. It builds a strong connection between u and the person u resent. Is that really what u want? The time and energy devoted 2 resentment r ur own. Is that really how u wish 2 spend those precious resources? U don't have 2 like someone in order 2 let go of ur resentment 4 them. B willing 2 forgive. Carrying a grudge is mostly ur burden. Consider how valuable it would b 2 free urself from it. It doesn't mean that whatever wrong u suffered was acceptable, or that u would allow it 2 happen again. It simply means that u'e ready and willing 2 move past it. Letting go and forgiving does not undo what was done, but it does free u from having 2 waste any more time or effort on useless resentment. Find a way 2 do that, and turn YOUR focus 2 the future.

11-2-04

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." -Helen Keller

Motivator: What could possibly constitute a better use of ur time and energy than 2 manifest that excellence which yearns in u? Bring in2 being those things which already exist in ur imagination. Share ur special possibilities with the world. Untold beauty and excellence r waiting 4 the power of ur actions. What is the best possible world u can imagine? What can u do 2 make it so? There is much u can do this very day. Ur dreams r not trivial. They r ur gift and ur obligation. Treat them with respect. Give them the attention they deserve. B the very best u can imagine. Make a difference that is uniquely urs. Let the best of u come out. U r destined 2 express life in ways that no one else can. Live it and let it flow with YOUR own special magnificence, today and every moment.

11-1-04

"Courage is grace under pressure." --Ernest Hemingway

Motivator: Fear can b valuable when u decide 2 put it 2 use. The purpose of fear is not 2 stop u, but 2 prepare u. Fear is strong and compelling, and it can certainly b transformed in2 an excuse 4 not taking action. Yet that same strength can also b directed in a more positive way, in a way that will, rather than stopping u, make ur actions more effective. Fear heightens ur awareness of any situation. That can give u a tremendous advantage. Fear points out what can go wrong, so u can b ready 4 the obstacles which arise. Fear gives u energy and excitement which can b channeled in2 enthusiasm. Fear will focus u like nothing else can. And with enough focus, there r no limits 2 what YOU can accomplish. Feel the fear. Don't hide from it.

10-29-04

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Motivator: The engineer who most diligently respects the laws of physics is able 2 create the most useful machines. The government which best respects the will of the people becomes the most powerful and beneficial. The degree 2 which a business respects its customers has a direct impact on the success of that business. The forces of nature can b powerful, harsh and potentially destructive. Yet with enough understanding and respect, they can b harnessed and put 2 positive use. The same can b said of human forces. When u learn 2 understand and act in harmony with the world around u, the results r much better than if u try 2 hide from it or fight against it. Most things can be harmful or helpful depending on the amount of respect and understanding u grant them. The things which still work against u, r lessons available 2 hone ur skill and understanding. Heed them well and their substantial power can b YOURS.

10-28-04

"All I would tell people is to hold onto what was individual about themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to try to imitate the success of others. You've got to find it on your own terms." --Harrison Ford

Motivator: R u concerned that the comments and opinions of others will somehow damage ur self esteem or self image? R u afraid of speaking ur mind or taking action because u might get ur feelings hurt? If u really want 2 improve ur self esteem, stop allowing other people 2 b responsible 4 it. Instead, create something of value. Make a positive difference. Pats on the back r nice, but in the end the thing that will truly make u feel good about urself is 2 accomplish something worthwhile. Find valuable feedback in the criticism of others. Realize that it can't hurt u, that it actually can help. Go forward with the confidence of knowing that u're truly making a difference, and YOU will indeed.

10-26-04

"Give so much time for the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others."

Motivator: The things u already know can b a great foundation 4 learning even more. Unfortunately, they can also b a stubborn obstacle. Often the more u know, the less u feel u need 2 learn. But that kind of thinking is based on the entirely false assumption that there is some kind of limit 2 learning. In truth, learning has no limits. The world is changing at an astounding pace. Even in a specialized area of knowledge, there is new information every day. The knowledge u already have can help u immensely in learning and understanding new things. In fact, the value of what u know is, in large part, based on YOUR willingness 2 use it as a basis 4 learning more.

10-25-04

"Virtue and decency are so nearly related that it is difficult to separate them from each other but in our imagination." -- Cicero

Motivator: A major source of discouragement is the mistaken assumption that the future = the past. It is difficult indeed 2 keep going when previous experience has produced so much disappointment. But the fact is that life does not have 2 follow a str8 line. At any point, it is possible 2 change direction. Great accomplishments often come on the heels of bitter disappointments. Rather than assuming that u're doomed bi ur past, consider all the ways u can create a bright future. Each day, each moment is a new opportunity, independent of what has gone before. Learn what u can bi looking back, but spend the bulk of YOUR time and attention looking forward.

10-22-04

"Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress."- Nicholas Murray Butler

Motivator: Being frustrated, annoyed or angry uses up ur precious time, energy, thoughts and actions. Certainly there r situations worth getting angry about, but do u truly wish 2 give over even a little bit of urself 2 the petty little things which really don't matter? When someone does something 2 annoy u, consider how much of ur valuable time u could save bi forgiving that person, in ur own mind, right then. When u forgive before u've even shown any anger, the matter will die and u can quickly move on. Expect the best from those around u, and u'll very likely get it. Yet when someone falls short of ur expectations, don't aggravate the problem bi letting it sap ur time and energy. The more little things u can forgive, the more big things YOU can accomplish.

10-20-04

"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." -Unknown

Motivator: How do u know that things r bad? It is only bi seeing that they can indeed b better. How do u know that u have failed? It is only because u have a very real concept of success. How do u know u'r in the dark? It is only because u have glimpsed the light. The longing which accompanies misfortune is an undeniable confirmation of the very real possibility of good fortune. Even the slightest twinge of discontent is evidence of the greatness that is surely possible 4 u. In ur disappointment is the affirmation of ur possibilities. In the bitter is the grasp of sweetness. The pain of defeat does not prevent victory. Rather, it demonstrates that victory is indeed possible. Do not b dismayed bi ur dismay. Find in it the resolve that it carries, and let it push YOU in a more positive direction.

10-19-04

"There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes you when talking to a friend." --Unknown

Motivator: Rather than doing what is easiest, do what is best. Doing what is easiest at the expense of what is best will cheat u out of challenging experiences and the valuable results they bring. It is easy 2 watch, yet it is best 2 participate. It is easy 2 complain, yet it is best 2 take positive action. It is easy 2 take, yet it is best 2 give, 2 make, 2 create. Doing what is best challenges and compels u 2 b ur best. What possible alternative could b better than that? Doing only what is easy leads 2 a life that is hard. Doing what is best brings a life that is full. With each decision u face, keep in mind that making the easiest choice may very well preclude u from making the best choice. Effort is a privilege, not a punishment. Make full use of ur considerable abilities. Forget about easy. More often than not it is a deception. When u have the choice, do what is best.

10-17-04

"Courage to start and willingness to keep everlasting at it are the requisites for success."--Alonzo Newton Benn

Motivator: Tourists usually experience life at their destination with a sense of urgency. They know their time there is limited and so they want make as much of the visit as possible. Tourists often appreciate a place even more than the people who live there. Consider what it would be like visit your own life as a tourist. What things would you make sure do? What things would you stop taking for granted? How much more deeply would u appreciate the good things around u? How much more would u take advantage of the possibilities available 2 u if u knew u had 2 leave them behind in a few days? Look at ur life through the eyes of a tourist and YOU'll find much that is special indeed.

10-16-04

"When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view." --Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Motivator: In a sense, it is useless 2 make judgments about things that have already happened. U can put ur judgment 2 better use bi applying it 2 the things over which u have control. And all those things r in the present, not in the past.When u truly think of everything that has already happened as being 4 the best, something almost magical takes place -- u actually start making the best of what has happened. Indeed, "it's all 4 the best" is a self-fulfilling appraisal. Certainly there r tragedies, major and minor. Yes, there r many disappointments, 2. R these really 4 the best? They might as well b. They've happened; they're a done deal. Ur best strategy is 2 emerge with something positive and useful.

10-15-04

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -- William Morrow

Motivator: Circumstances most certainly change, from moment to moment, but the good things which u've known never go away. Deep down inside, u r still the same person u were on the happiest day u've ever experienced. And deep down inside is where things truly matter. Joy is cumulative and persistent. Think of a happy time and u r happy. The world will often attempt 2 drag u down and when it does, summon the power of ur happiness. Think of the best moments u have ever known. They r still with u. And there r many more 2 come. Joy is more than the pleasure of the moment. It is an affirmation that life is very much worth living. It may sometimes get covered up, but it never has 2 go away. Keep it with u and add 2 it all that YOU can.

10-14-04

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation." --Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) American Writer

Motivator: How big can u dream? Think of all the incredible products, ideas and artistic expressions that didn't exist ten years ago. The possible goes way beyond the probable. Ur possibilities r limited only by ur imagination. Look around u at all the incredible things that have been achieved in this world. Each and every 1 of them existed at 1 time only in someone's imagination. It takes more than imagination, 2 b sure, but imagination is an essential first step. U have the capacity 2 imagine anything. U might as well make it the very best. Let ur imagination lead YOU 2 an extraordinary reality.

10-13-04

"We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs." -Francois Fenelon

Motivator: Innovations come from people who have problems. Creativity springs from people who r dissatisfied. From experience, I can say that the biggest breakthroughs come from those people who face the most formidable challenges. Great accomplishments r not made bi those who say "I'll start on this when I have the time and the money." Greatness comes from those who find a way 2 express it, regardless of how limited their resources may b. What is holding u back? Is it really ur lack of resources, as u constantly tell urself, or is that just a convenient excuse? Stop waiting until things r perfect. The obstacles will always b there. They will never just go away. Find a way through them. Stop waiting 4 "if only" and start living "no matter what."

10-12-04

"Man has never made any material as resilient as the human spirit." --Bernard Williams (1929-) English Philosopher

Motivator: Excuses r the sure and reliable building blocks of failure. Whether u find urself offering them or accepting them, they r a definite warning flag that u r off course. Well thought out actions make up the currency of effectiveness, whereas excuses r the currency of uselessness. Every setback has a reason. Every mistake has a reason. U can either accept those reasons, and learn something positive from them, or u can turn them into excuses, and thereby allow them 2 defeat u. Each excuse is a small defeat, and they can add up quickly. The best strategy is 2 avoid them. Explain urself, but make no excuses.

10-11-04

"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." -- Aristotle

Motivator: Everything u do has consequences. Whether that is a blessing or a curse depends, quite simply, on what u do. U're not some feather that is randomly tossed about by the wind. U have direct control over ur own fate, based on the actions u take. U take action, and there is a result. That dynamic is neither positive or negative, neither good nor bad in itself. It is completely and totally what u make of it. Understand and appreciate all the implications of ur consequences, and u have the power 2 go wherever YOU wish.

10-8-04

"Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength."
-- Anonymous

Motivator: If u'r ever going 2 fulfill the great and wonderful possibilities that r surely urs, now is the moment 2 begin in earnest. A full and rich life is urs 4 the making, but it won't just b handed 2 u, no matter who u r. Ur life, ur fulfillment, requires ur active and committed participation. And now is the time 4 that 2 happen. The past is long gone and the future is yet unavailable 2 u. Now is when u can make a difference. What r ur dreams, ur hopes, ur ambitions? Now is the time 2 follow them with the passion that u know u have. Now is the time 4 action, 4 commitment, 4 purpose. Putting it off until later will only cheat u out of what u could have become. Do it, be it, live it now. It's the grandest opportunity YOU could ever imagine.

10-7-04

"Rely on the ordinary virtues that intelligent, balanced human beings have relied on for centuries: common sense, thrift, realistic expectations, patience, and perseverance." -John C. Bogle (1929-) American Investor

Motivator: If at first the task seems overwhelming, remember that u'll learn as u go along. Don't let a lack of knowledge stop u from setting ambitious goals. Much of what u'll need 2 know, u'll learn in the doing. Have u ever considered learning a new language? Does the prospect seem overwhelming? Well, u've done it before, and the first time u did it u were just a child. Not only did u learn a particular language, u learned the concept of language, 2. Whatever u need 2 learn, whether it is a language, a skill, or a new way of thinking, u'll find a way 2 learn it. U're good at that. It's how u've survived and grown, and made YOUR way in the world thus far.

10-6-04

"'I can't do it' never yet accomplished anything: 'I will try' has accomplished wonders." -- George P. Burnham

Motivator: It doesn't matter who u r or what u have been or what u have done in the past. Nothing can pull u down when u refuse 2 let it -- not any other person or group or situation or challenge. People just like u have overcome obstacles that truly would appear overwhelming even 2 the most optimistic person. People just like u have achieved things no one would have thought possible in their wildest dreams. There r an infinite number of directions in which u can journey from where u r right now. Some will certainly b more challenging, and yet those will also be much more fulfilling. The choice of direction is entirely up 2 u. So envision YOUR ideal future and then set out 2 make it happen.

10-5-04

"The self is not something that one finds. It is something that one creates." -Thomas Szasz (1920-) American Psychiatrist

Motivator: How many times have the obstacles standing in ur way been primarily a creation of ur own imagination? Have u ever convinced urself that u cannot possibly do something, and then later discovered that u can indeed do it? Consider that many of the limitations which u live with each day may very well b self imposed. Certainly there r very real and frightening challenges which u face. B careful not 2 add 2 them with ur own imagined obstacles. Ur imagination is best used 2 imagine ur positive possibilities. Ur mind and ur imagination r totally under ur own control, so use them 4 2 ur benefit. Let ur imagination enrich ur life rather than impede it. Imagine the best 4 urself and YOUR world.

10-4-04

"It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen." --Herodotus

Motivator: Often those who point out problems r accused of negative thinking. Yet it's absolutely necessary to acknowledge the problems if u ever hope 2 make any progress. Constant complaining, whining and excuse making r certainly negative, but addressing the problem with honesty and clarity is very positive. If u attempt 2 stay positively focused by ignoring the negative u're simply not being realistic. When u can c and understand the negative aspects and then deal with them in a positive, forward looking manner, then u tap into the real power of positive focus. C the situation 4 what it is, and then take the appropriate actions 2 improve it.

10-3-04

"The three great essentials to achieving anything worthwhile are; first, hard work, second, stick-to-it-iveness, and third, common sense."

Motivator: U already know the importance of discipline, integrity, perseverance, patience and positive focus. U've experienced their benefits, and u've experienced the pain of their absence. Success in life flows from the gratitude and appreciation of those qualities which make success possible. Latch on 2 the qualities which bring true fulfillment. Clearly and fully recall their value so as 2 remind urself how very much u desire them and the fruits they bring. Remember what u already know and let it guide YOU 2 achieve.

10-1-04

"Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties." -Spurgeon

Motivator: In every effort there will b interruptions, disappointments, even some disasters. Ur recovery time depends largely on what u decide 2 make it. The time and energy u put in2 anger and self pity will serve mainly 2 prolong the time it takes 2 get going again. Accept that the setbacks will come and when they do, decide 2 move quickly past them. Find something positive in each one, and that will serve 2 get u focused again on progressing toward ur goal. Winners and losers both stumble. The WINNERS, though, r the ones who quickly get back up and keep on going. Cheers!!!

9-30-04

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."- -- Abraham Lincoln (one of my many heroes)

Motivator: Powerful positive influence begins with understanding. The most successful people in business r those who best understand their customers. The most admired and influential leaders r those who most fully understand the people they lead. The most effective parents r the 1's who best understand their children. 1 of the most reliable strategies 4 success in any endeavor is 2 imagine urself in another person's shoes. U'r already quite familiar with ur own perspective. When u take the time and trouble 2 also understand the other person, the combined perspective u gain can b of tremendous value. Put YOURSELF in a powerful position by making the effort 2 understand.

9-29-04

"He can do more for others who has done most with himself."

In Lieu of the Motivator: An elder Apache was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said 2 them, "A fight is going on inside me; it's a terrible fight between 2 wolves. 1 represents anger, fear, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false, pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other stands 4 joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going inside of u, and others, too" One child asked, "which would win?" 2 which he replied, "The 1 u feed." Which one do you feed most often?

9-28-04

"The greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising up every time we fall."

Motivator: Success is not an accident. It does not happen by chance. It requires more than good intentions. It requires thoughtful, detailed planning. We're sometimes averse 2 planning because we fear that it will somehow detract from the spontaneity and creativity of achievement. But planning is ultimately liberating, not confining. Without adequate planning u eventually run in2 impossible limitations. Certainly it is valuable 2 b creative and spontaneous. And thoughtful planning frees u 2 get more done and 2 b more creative. 4 the vast majority of those who achieve it, success does not come as a surprise. It results from devising a plan and then doing whatever is necessary 2 follow that plan through 2 completion. Marco

9-27-04

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."

Motivator: It is tempting 2 think that u can have something for nothing. It is tempting 2 think that u can take shortcuts. When we're tempted 2 do what we know we should not, it is a deception. We see the reward, obsess over it, and mentally build it up bigger than life, completely out of proportion 2 reality. At the same time we fail 2 c the significantly bigger downside. Being positive does not mean ignoring the negative consequences of our actions. Living positively comes from avoiding the negative consequences by refraining from the destructive behavior which surely leads 2 them. The next time u r tempted 2 act against ur own good judgment, remember that it is a lie, a deception 4 which YOU will ultimately and unavoidably suffer.

9-26-04

"That's what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, that decency will somehow triumph in the end."- --Lise Hand, describing Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, who was killed as a result of her investigations of Irish organized crime.

Motivator: There is no virtue in being resigned 2 a life that's anything less than the very best u can envision. Living ur dream means being responsible 2 the best that u have 2 offer. It is unfortunate that we so often equate happiness with destructive behavior such as revenge, substance abuse or idleness. Lasting happiness and joy result from creative, productive, disciplined actions. Being happy, joyful and fulfilled means being the best u can b. The things u seek, with the moments, thoughts and actions which make up ur days, u will have. u cannot avoid them. They r YOURS. So make them the best that they can b.

9-24-04

"Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one less scoundrel in the world."

Motivator: Success is an acquired taste. Those who learn 2 enjoy the activities which lead 2 success and achievement r the ones who attain that success. The best players genuinely enjoy the game. The most successful entrepreneurs r the ones who truly love their work. Many people dream of the ideal job in which they could do what they already love, and make money at it. That is an admirable and worthy aspiration, yet sometimes it is just not realistic. But there's another way 2 arrive at the same result -- if u can't find a way 2 do what u love, then find a way 2 love what u do. One way or another, when u acquire a taste 4 success YOU"LL feast on the positive results it brings.

9-23-04

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?"

Motivator: Just because there's someone 2 blame 4 ur troubles does not mean that u can end ur troubles by hurting that other person. No matter who is 2 blame 4 ur problems, u r responsible 4 them. Revenge may b entirely justified, but it will rarely solve the problem. The energy u put in2 blaming others 4 ur misery takes away from the energy u have available 2 effectively address those problems. Don't let the desire 2 assign blame detract u from making things right. U cannot move backwards, so put YOUR energy into moving forward.

9-22-04

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

Motivator: Some of the greatest achievements come from the biggest frustrations. In frustration there is an enormous amount of energy. 2 often, that energy is directed and focused in negative ways, but it certainly does not have 2 b. Some people use frustration as an excuse 2 destroy. While that may b completely understandable, it doesn't do anything 2 improve the situation. The gratification of any "revenge" is quickly replaced by an even bigger and more desperate frustration. The real challenge is 2 make a positive difference. The energy of frustration is a powerful resource which can propel u 2 new heights. Don't waste it by trying 2 bring someone else down 2 ur level. U've paid dearly 4 that frustration, so funnel it in a positive direction and make the very most of it!

9-21-04

"Some day, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process."

Motivator: Learn 2 b master of the little things without letting the little things run ur life. It is useful 2 pay attention 2 details but it is dangerous b ruled by them. There is a big difference between being disciplined, careful and attentive and being obsessive. The difference is in clearly focusing on the purpose of ur efforts. Look at everything in terms of the big picture. 2 the extent that the details enhance and promote ur overall purpose, give them ur time and energy. 2 the extent that the details detract from, and even replace the original purpose, let them go. Nothing is more wasteful than worrying over trivial details that don't even matter.Keep ur purpose clearly in mind, and make the details ur servant rather than YOUR master.

9-1-04

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead."

Motivator: When was the last time anxiety knocked at ur front door? Have u ever met stress walking down the street? Things such as stress, anxiety and anger do not exist in real, tangible form. They exist only in u and only with ur cooperation. They r not grown in a field or manufactured in a factory. They r created in ur head. And as such, there is no need for u 2 "deal" with them or "resolve" them. U have it in ur power 2 simply eliminate them or, better yet, 2 avoid giving birth 2 them in the first place. Do not let ur anxieties control YOU. It takes a lot of energy 2 create and 2 maintain stress, anxiety and fear. Redirect that energy toward something positive and creative.

9-17-04

"We each have all the time there is; our mental and moral status is determined by what we do with it."

Motivator: If u r quick 2 take offense, then u'll b under the control of those whom u find offensive. If u r easily angered, then ur actions will b dictated by those who anger u. If u r obsessed by what other people think, then u will b imprisoned by their thoughts. If u yearn 4 easy answers and quick solutions, u'll fall prey 2 people who offer nothing but promises. If u find the truth 2 difficult 2 bear, u'll be enslaved 2 those who tell u what u want 2 hear. When u have the courage 2 think 4 yourself, the strength 2 accept what is, the commitment and discipline 2 make a difference, then u r free. U r truly free 2 live with purpose, joy and fulfillment. Let ur life be defined not by ur reactions 2 what others do, say or think, but rather by YOUR own unique vision.

9-16-04

"Courage is the greatest of all the virtues. Because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others." Do you have the Valor it takes to get ahead today? Warm Thursday Wishes!

Motivator: What do u expect of urself? What do u expect of others? Expectations r often a self-fulfilling prophecy. So it makes sense 2 expect the very best. Is that reasonable when past experience proves otherwise? Yes, because people can change. U can change, and the beginning of that change is often a change in expectations. No matter how disappointed u've been in the past, with urself or with someone else, the way 2 start getting positive results is with positive expectations. Expect the best. Proceed under the assumption that u'll get the best, from urself and others, and YOU'r well on ur way 2 getting it...the perfect time not 2 expect anything though, is when meeting someone 4 the 1st time! ie internet; blind date; etc.

9-15-04

"The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The wise is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light."

Motivator: Enjoyment comes from ur attitude toward a particular situation, not the situation itself. Too many people search in vain 4 enjoyable activities, enjoyable relationships, enjoyable environments, enjoyable entertainment. A much more successful strategy would b 2 stop searching and start enjoying. The enjoyment is not in the activity. The enjoyment is in u. Wherever u r, whatever u'r doing, find a way 2 enjoy it. Sure, it's great when u aspire 2 bigger and better things. But don't fool yourself in2 thinking that they'll come pre-packaged with their own enjoyment. Perhaps u didn't choose 2 b where u are, and it's great that u'r committed 2 getting somewhere else. Yet while YOU'r here, accept it and enjoy it.

Personal Quote: Flattering Is Rather Much Worthy 2 B Remembered In Mind Than Creating an Effigy-Will U Do that 4 Me?

9-14-04

"The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time."

Motivator: Right now is the time 2 make the first step, 2 get started. Don't wait any longer. If u intend 2 do something, prove it with ur actions today. Make a true commitment. Go beyond "thinking about it." Thinking is a great way 2 start. Now u must take action. U must ask urself if u'r ready 2 stop wasting ur energy on excuses and start putting that energy 2 work with ur actions. Choose to go forward today. Commit 2 the future with YOUR positive action!

9-13-04

"Decide on what you think is right, and stick to it."

Motivator: The most intelligent people r not those who pretend 2 know it all. The most intelligent people r those who have a realistic awareness of what they know and, just as importantly, what they don't know. Some people foolishly pretend 2 know things when in fact they don't. It sometimes serves their pride, yet in the end such behavior is completely self defeating. Admitting u don't know something is the first step in learning it. No one can possibly know everything. There is no shame in not knowing. It is far better 2 admit u don't know, than 2 proceed with missing or incomplete knowledge. Have the courage to say "I don't know" and then make the commitment 2 find out.

9-12-04

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

Motivator: If u lack confidence, then do something about it -- literally. Do something. Take action. No matter how little confidence u may have, still there is something u can bring urself 2 do, some action u can take. Take that first step. Keep doing it until u develop the confidence 2 take the next step. Confidence is something u build with ur actions. No one can give it 2 u or sell it 2 u. Ur confidence must come from u. Make the effort. Build ur confidence, and it will serve YOU well.

9-11-04

"Aspire, break bounds. Endeavor to be good, and better still, best."

Motivator: What if everything u could ever want were sitting right in front of u, ready 4 u 2 make it urs, and u didn't even realize it was there? What if u were so accustomed 2 thinking in terms of lack and limitation that u were unable 2 see the magnificent abundance that was all around u? What if every day was beautiful and u did not realize it? What if every problem u encountered, gave u the strength and determination needed 2 turn it in2 an opportunity. What if today were 2 end before YOU decided to make the very most of it? Don't let that happen!

9-10-04

"The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous."

Motivator: What do u expect 2 gain from reading this message? Ur expectations largely define ur outcomes. U rarely ever do much better than u expect 2 do, and u rarely ever do much worse. Most often, u get just about exactly what u expect. Even when circumstances change, u adjust ur actions so that ur expectations continue 2 b met. Whatever u expect of urself will happen, because u'll do anything necessary 2 make it happen, right? Ur mind is a powerful goal-seeking device. The more consistently u keep ur mind on ur positive expectations, the faster they will become a reality. In ur expectations there is great power. U can expect whatever u choose 2 expect. So expect the best. And that's what YOU'll get. (Great Expectations....such a nice book)

9-9-04

"Waste your money and you're only out of money, but waste your time and you've lost part of your life."

Motivator: The beauty and the joy of life come in living it through. Skipping ahead or jumping back will serve only 2 cheat u out of the magnificent now. Live life as it comes. Really live, each moment at a time. String them together, one after the other. Listen 2 the whole symphony from beginning 2 end, and savor each passage. Watch the shadows change as the sun rises in the east and works its way across the sky each day. Feel the wind against ur face as it grows cooler and then warm. Take the time 2 listen, 2 know, 2 love those around u. What a beautiful gift is all of creation and the awareness that YOU have of it. Drink in every particle. (and I don't mean alcohol LOL)

9-19-04

"Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances -- it was somebody's name, or he happened to be there at the time, or it was so then, and another day would have been otherwise. Strong men believe in cause and effect"

Motivator: When was the last time anxiety knocked at ur front door? Have u ever met stress walking down the street? Things such as stress, anxiety and anger do not exist in real, tangible form. They exist only in u and only with ur cooperation. They r not grown in a field or manufactured in a factory. They r created in ur head. And as such, there is no need for u 2 "deal" with them or "resolve" them. U have it in ur power 2 simply eliminate them or, better yet, 2 avoid giving birth 2 them in the first place. Do not let ur anxieties control YOU. It takes a lot of energy 2 create and 2 maintain stress, anxiety and fear. Redirect that energy toward something positive and creative.

9-8-04

"What a man is contributes much more to his happiness than what he has, or how he is regarded by others. You can find on the outside only what you posess on the inside."

Motivator: Diamonds have numerous practical applications in drills and other cutting tools, but that is not what makes diamonds so valuable. Authentic diamonds r valuable because they r so rare and difficult 2 come by. That's useful 2 remember when u r faced with limitations. Those limitations give value 2 whatever u'r working 2 accomplish. The more difficult the achievement, the more valuable it is. The things that come easy, with little or no effort, have little or no value. 2 create something of great value, u generally must overcome a challenge of great magnitude. R YOU digging for diamonds, or just shoveling dirt? Seek out the challenges. They r what bring value.

9-7-04

"The beauty of a friendship lies not in enjoying the similarities, but respecting the differences."

Motivator: The value of ur accomplishment increases with every difficulty u encounter on the way to it. And u must persist in order 2 realize that value. Whatever it takes, keep going. Every moment u persist builds equity in ur dream. The glory, the joy, the fulfillment of life come from persistence through the troubles, the frustrations and the obstacles. U already know that. U've experienced it before. And now, today, is yet another opportunity 2 keep going, 2 persist through whatever may come. It's the best opportunity u could possibly imagine. So make the most of it. Keep going. Persist in ur efforts. And fulfill YOUR own incredible possibilities.

9-6-04

"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. It's time to start living the life you've imagined."

Motivator: Whatever u practice, u will become skilled at doing. Winning athletes practice day after day, month after month, to hone their skills. So do the best musicians, actors, salespeople, airline pilots, preachers, photographers, designers -- the list goes on and on. What do you practice every day? Do u practice positive, success-oriented skills and actions? Or do u practice such skills as making excuses, getting angry, complaining, assigning blame, and procrastinating. The more u practice anything, the more it becomes a part of u. So be aware of what u practice each day, each moment. Make sure that what u practice, is what YOU want 2 become.

9-3-04

"Give so much time for the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others."

Motivator: Creativity does not get used up. In fact, the more u exercise ur creativity, the more u have of it. Creativity feeds upon itself. A magnificent painting begins with a single brush stroke, creatively applied. One creative act leads 2 another, and soon u have a masterpiece. We often imagine creativity as being on a grand scale, and yet it is in the grainy texture of life that true creativity occurs. Anyone, anywhere can be creative. It's just a matter of opening the mind, stepping outside the comfortable box of ur limitations, then putting in2 form and action the original thoughts which come to YOU.

Personal Quote: Should U Ever Arbitrate Beween Love & Mind, Opt to Intuition Backed Up With Logic!

9-2-04

"If we are more afraid of failure than we are eager for success, if we are more afraid of pain than eager to seek pleasure, if we are more afraid of embarrassment than willing to take chances on new experiences, then the blandishments of fear will suit a timorous personality. But if we replace fear with eagerness then all the amazing things in our life that beckon us forward will happen."

Motivator: Remember as u go through the day that u r more than just a # in someone's computer, more than just a dispensable part of the system. U r a living, breathing person, completely unique in all of history. U can think & reason. U can make intelligent decisions.U can create. U can explore. U can seek the truth & find joy in the beauty around u. U can give ur love & compassion 2 others. U can change things that anger or frustrate u. U can make a difference in ur life & the lives of others. U r alive with possibilities, no matter what has happened 2 u in the past, no matter what other people think or say about u, no matter what ur situation. There is something u can do today that will continue 2 fulfill the special, priceless bundle of possibilities that is YOU!

9-1-04

"It is a glorious achievement to master one's own temper."

In lieu of the Motivator, I will relate good news instead. Now there is a better solution to chronic depression than popping pills. (I am serious too): Implanting a pacemaker-like device that will send mild electronic pulses to the vagus nerve in the neck to lift mood. The FDA approved this device made by Cyberonics this last Tuesday. This is great news at least to 20 Million adults in the US who suffer from depression each year. Then you wouldn't need to read anymore motivators! HAHAHAH

8-31-04

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are we NOT to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"

Motivator: When u criticize and find fault in someone, it only serves 2 bring u down. How could u possibly profit from embracing and expanding the negative? When u admire someone, u share in their accomplishment. The things u admire in others will grow strong within urself. The respect u give 2 others will bring more respect 2 u. The love in ur life will grow 2 the extent that u give it away. Ur thoughts determine the quality of ur life, so why would u want 2 focus them on the shortcomings of others? Instead, look for ways to admire and respect the very best in the people around u. That will bring out the best in YOU.

8-30-04

"Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Motivator: Do u think that all the world is against u? Then it is. Do u really think that u can succeed against all odds? Then u can. Do u think that today will be tedious and boring? Then it will be. Do u think that u can make a difference? Then u will. Whatever u think, is true 4 u. Whatever u truly believe, is the reality which u've imposed on urself. Do ur thoughts serve YOU, or do they hinder u?

8-29-04

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

Motivator: Take the first step. Just go ahead and do it. As soon as u take the first step, the second step begins to become obvious. You may not be able to see the end of the road yet. What matters most is that you're moving along the road. No matter what lies ahead, when you continue taking one step after another you'll get through it. There's always a way to start. There's always something to do next. And there will always be a way through. One step at a time will eventually bring you wherever you choose to go. So be sure to select a great destination. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the immensity of the project. Just take the first step and you're well on your way.

8-28-04

"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."

Motivator: Right now is the best possible opportunity that anyone could ever dream of. Everything u have ever learned, all the efforts u've made, every disappointment u've experienced, and all the accomplishments that u've ever achieved have culminated, right now, in this moment that u now r living. This very moment represents an opportunity which is custom made just 4 u, and one that u r uniquely qualified 2 fulfill. What will u do with it? Yet the opportunity is worthless without ur active participation. Look closely and see this moment 4 what it is.

8-27-04

"A good friend is one who knows everything about you....and loves you anyway."

8-26-04

"I am thankful for small mercies. I compared notes with one of my friends who expects everything of the universe, and is disappointed when anything is less than the best, and I found that I begin at the other extreme, expecting nothing, and am always full of thanks for moderate goods."

Motivator: Achievement begins with a dream. Yet there r many, many dreams which wither and die without ever coming 2 pass. We will never know the benefits which they could have brought. Great accomplishments come about not only because someone dreamed of them, but also because someone believed in the dream enough 2 walk the long, hard road of making that dream a reality. It takes a dream. And then it takes more than a dream. What is urs? And what r u doing about it? Stop and think 4 a moment about all the great things that have ever been achieved. Someone had a dream. Someone just like YOU!

8-3-04

"People who say it cannot be done should not interruptthose who are doing it." ~Unknown


Motivator: To get from here to there, takes plain old ordinaryeffort. You can be brimming with a positive attitude, full of superb ideas, smart, experienced, and wellconnected. Yet even with all that going for you, youstill must put out effort in order to make thingshappen. There is no substitute for effort. You can worksmarter, to be sure, but you must work. There is nomagic secret, no technological contraption, nocleverly designed "system" that will replace the needfor effort. These things can certainly make yourefforts far more effective. Without your effort andinitiative, though, they are useless. The effort necessary for achievement is oftendifficult and uncomfortable. It will stretch you andlikely demand more of you than you thought you had.And therein lies the true reward of success. When nothing is sure, everything is possible.

8-1-04

"Let no man turn aside, ever so slightly, from the broad path of honour, on the plausible pretence that he is justified by the goodness of his end. All good ends can be worked out by good means."

Motivator: Be happy with the little things, because there are so many more of them. Every day presents you with countless opportunities to experience happiness. There is joy available in each moment, if you really want to find it. Find enjoyment in the small things, and even in the striving. It will keep you going. Relish the journey, and it will help you reach the destination--Something I was reminded today.

7-27-04

"I want to remind you that success in life is based on hard slogging. There will be periods when discouragement is great and upsetting, and the antidote for this is calmness and fortitude and a modest yet firm belief in your competence. Be sure that your priorities are in order so that you can proceed in a logical manner, and be ever mindful that nothing will take the place of persistence."

Motivator: Negative thinking is perhaps the most extravagant, wasteful indulgence imaginable. It is something which no one alive can truly afford. The price which negative thinking extracts can never be regained, because the price of negative thinking is paid with life. How is it possible for anyone to replace a moment, or a day or a year lost to negativity? And beyond the lost opportunity that it represents, negative thinking is just plain destructive. It accomplishes nothing and it costs so much. Fortunately, negative thinking is completely unnecessary. And it is completely under your control. You don't have to participate in it if you don't want to. And why in the world would you ever want to? No matter what comes your way, you can decide how to respond. Even in the most seemingly hopeless of situations, the best course is to remain focused on the positive, on what you can do, on the difference you can make. Why would you possibly want to do anything else?

7-26-04

"The meaning of life is creative love. Not love as an inner feeling, as a private sentimental emotion, but love as a dynamic power moving out into the world and doing something original."

Motivator: What actions will you take to end your frustration, to achieve your dream, to take advantage of opportunity? It all depends on what you do. Not on how much you complain, not on your ability to garner sympathy from others. It depends on what you do. And right now is the time to start. Your frustration will only grow worse and more entrenched if you delay. The achievement you desire will grow more distant, the longer you wait to do something about it. Opportunity will fade quickly if you fail to act.

7-25-04

"It teaches the strong to know when they are weak and the brave to face themselves when they are afraid. To be proud and unbowed in defeat yet humble and gentle in victory. And to master ourselves before we attempt to master others. And to learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep. And to give the predominance of courage over timidity." - General Douglas MacArthur, on the virtues of competitive athletics

One of the greatest motivators the world has ever known -- desire. If the desire is strong enough, you will do whatever it takes to achieve it. How can you make the desire strong enough? First, find what you really, truly want -- not what someone else wants for you, not what others think you should want, what YOU want. Then, connect it clearly and unambiguously within yourself to whatever must be done. You are willing. You are able. You will do what needs to be done. You can be driven, disciplined and committed. Just connect your actions with your true desires.

7-23-04

"Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right. Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine."


Motivator: It is at once a magnificent opportunity and an awesome responsibility. Your thoughts are ultimately chosen by you. Your actions, and their results, will be determined by the things you think about and the things to which you pay attention. All achievements begin in the mind, and there is no limit to what the mind can think. Everything that anyone has ever invented, built, written, performed, produced or otherwise created, began to take shape first as a conscious thought. Put your highest and best thoughts into disciplined action over a long enough period of time, and you'll create a masterpiece. What you think about, is what you will do. And what you think about, is up to you.

7-19-04

"Men can be stimulated to show off their good qualities to the leader who seems to think they have good qualities. A champion is someone who gets up when he can't. "

Motivator: So many times we defeat ourselves before we even start, because we fail to commit our best to the effort. Anyone is capable of excellence. Anyone is capable of greatness. All that's required is to show up, to truly show up and put the whole of one's being into the effort. Every person alive is filled to the brim with value and possibilities, with passion, with purpose. Whenever all that abundance is focused and directed, the result is an undeniable greatness.

7-15-04

Here is a little something I've learned:

1 reason challenge is so valuable is that it forces u beyond the artificial limitations u have set 4 urself & maintained 4 so long. Is there something u've told urself u cannot do? Is there something u've told urself u're just no good at? What if u had no choice? What if there was no one else 2 do it? Maybe the reason u could never do it is because u've never really needed 2. Most of the things u tell urself u cannot do r really things u've chosen not 2 do. The artificial limitations u've set 4 urself stand firm because u've never had an urgent need 2 go beyond them. A compelling enough challenge can change that. Find something challenging & meaningful enough 2 make u 4get ur doubts & u'll move on past YOUR old limitations.