5-31-05

"The firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame." - Charles Caleb Colton

Motivator: In every setback is the opportunity 2 pick urself up & the energy 2 move 2 an even higher level than b4. When they appear, the setbacks seem devastating. & yet, even in despair u can feel the raw energy, ready & waiting 2 b applied in a positive direction. True, that energy can take u down even further if u let it. Make the choice, instead, 2 move 4ward with it. With every fall cums an opportunity. It is up 2 u 2 seize that opportunity & 2 cum back even stronger than b4. Success is not a function of how many times u fall, but of how fast u get back up. When u're able 2 recover quickly enough, the setbacks will actually propel u 4ward. Get right back up, & u'll c YOU've been dealt a great opportunity.

5-27-05

"Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own." - Johann von Goethe *Are you happy in this manner??? In addition to not making us be jelous or envious of others if we make their gain is ours!

Motivator: Play an active role in ur world, & yet spend some time apart from it as well. On a regular basis, take a break. Get some rest. Listen 2 nothing but quietness. Relax in empowering peacefulness. Recharge ur spirit & re-focus ur mind upon the things which r truly important 2 u. Ur power 2 create & accomplish can work against u or it can work 4 u. The guidance u give it, born of the strength of ur spirit, will make all the difference. Nourish the essence of ur being with time & thought spent away from the holler of a complex world & a busy life. Then get back in & give true meaning 2 every moment of that life.

5-26-05

"Faith that the thing can be done is essential to any great achievement." - Thomas N. Carruther

Motivator: Each of us is blessed with numerous ways 2 make a positive difference. Make a positive difference, & it will spread. The caring & goodness u invest in others will multiply, going on & on far beyond u. What a way 2 make an impact! There r plenty of justifications 4 being cynical, but there is no good reason 2 b. Likewise, there r plenty of excuses 4 not giving ur best, & yet every reason in the world 2 do so anyway, & 2 b a genuine positive influence. B true 2 the best that u have & let it shine through each thing u do. The richness of YOUR life grows ever more valuable each time it is shared.

5-24-05

"No pleasure philosophy, no sensuality, no place nor power, no material success can for a moment give such inner satisfaction as the sense of living for good purposes, for maintenance of integrity, for the preservation of self-approval." - Minot Simons

Motivator: Each minute u spend in preparation saves at least 5 to 10 minutes worth of catching up. When opportunities cum ur way they won't wait until u 2 get ready 4 them. U must already b prepared 2 meet the challenges & quickly seize those opportunities, or they'll leave u behind. Preparation makes the difference between merely offering empty promises & really being able 2 deliver. Those who r prepared can deliver right away. Those who r not can only try. Each day, every time u can, make the extra effort 2 better prepare urself. It is time well invested, which begins 2 pay dividends almost immediately. Prepare ahead, work ahead, & YOU'LL surely get ahead.

5-23-05

"Every heart that has beat strongly and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world, and bettered the tradition of mankind." - Robert Louis Stevenson

Motivator: U'll never b satisfied or fulfilled bi hat which is empty, no matter how much u have of it. When u must choose between speed & direction, choose direction. Going faster & faster will do u no good if the destination is not where u wish 2 end up. What a shame it would b 2 diligently spend ur effort & irreplaceable time on an empty pursuit. Be4 u make the effort, be4 u commit the time, decide precisely where u intend 2 go, & why. Pay attention 2 where YOU'RE going. Put thought & consideration in2 the destination, & the journey will bring abundant rewards.

5-20-05

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them." --Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) American Publisher

Motivator: Effort gets things done. Patience sees them through. Both r crucial 2 success. When u can balance effort & patience, it is a powerful combination. U can make almost anything happen with enough effort, but not right away. The most effective effort is continuing effort, which patience makes possible. The most spectacularly successful people in any field r those who have the patience 2 continually apply their effort 4 as long as it takes 2 succeed. Know when 2 push & when 2 wait. Balance aggressive effort with a deep, underlying patience & the results YOU achieve will b truly amazing.

5-19-05

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

Motivator: Those things which u fear represent significant challenges 4 u, & in challenge there is much value. The places u've always feared 2 go r filled with unexplored territory. There's no telling what treasures u could find there. A few of ur fears will genuinely keep u out of trouble. Most of them, though, r not there 2 stop u but 2 prepare u. The more u confront ur fears & work through them, the more new & fertile ground u'll uncover. There's a whole rich & wonderful world waiting just on the other side of ur fears. Heed ur fears bi adequately preparing YOURSELF. Then march right on through those fears toward the golden rewards which r beyond them.

5-18-05

"The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does the reverse." --Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher

Motivator: If u could watch urself from this slightly removed perspective, what new things would u c? What advice would u b itching 2 give urself? What opportunities would u b able 2 point out 2 urself? What mistakes could u talk urself out of making? Most of us can b very sensible when it cums 2 observing & giving advice 2 others. Yet when it cums 2 watching & advising ourselves, the view is often distorted because we're so intimately involved. In ur mind, step back. Look @ urself as u would look @ another person. Discover the things that r obvious 2 every1 else, & give YOURSELF some good, objective guidance.

5-17-05

"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: The disappointments can take care of themselves, so learn from them & then let them go. Focus ur attention on the positive things u've achieved. It would b a shame 2 let them slip away. What can u do 2day 2 build on those things? Consider how far u've already cum, & imagine how far u can continue 2 go. U've already begun a pattern of success. Use 2day 2 build on that energy. Latch on 2 ur positive progress, no matter how small it may have been, & keep it rolling. Focus on it, & it will grow. Find something positive about yesterday & make it even bigger 2day. Keep building success upon success, accomplishment upon accomplishment. Soon u'll have a powerful force that can take u wherever YOU wish 2 go.

5-16-05

"If you have not often felt the joy of doing a kind act, you have neglected much, and most of all yourself." - A. Neilen

Motivator: How do u ask 4 what u desire? Begging is not an effective way of asking. Begging puts u @ the mercy of the other person. Demanding is not an effective way of asking either. Demanding things quickly uses up whatever power u may have. An ideal way 2 ask is 2 offer. When u offer, u put urself in a powerful position. U make urself much more difficult 2 deny. Think about it. If some1 were constantly begging u 4 something, or constantly demanding things of u, how willing would u b 2 comply? Yet if some1 were offering u something of value in return, think about what a difference that would make. U have plenty of valuable things 2 offer -ur time, ur experience, ur knowledge, ur attention, ur understanding. Effectively get whatever YOU desire bi making a compelling offer.

5-13-05

"I will make love my greatest weapon and none on who I call can defend against its force....My love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest day." --Og Mandino

Motivator: There is really no great secret 2 success. It is easy 2 wish 4 some kind of magical intervention 2 bring success & fulfillment. It is easy 2 fool ourselves in2 thinking that we have found a shortcut. In reality, the secret 2 success is that there is no secret. The desire 4 a secret, magical pill cums from a lack of experience with the real engine of success, which is intentioned, focused effort. 4 when u taste the joy of effective effort u realize that is where the real magic exists. The fact that any imagined result can b had bi taking well thought out action is all the magic any1 could ever need. That's the way the world works; it is beautiful & elegant 2 the core. Follow the obvious & well laid path 2 success & bring real magic 2 ur own life.

5-12-05

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain

Motivator: Instead of cursing ur weakness, make urself stronger. Instead of filling ur mind with regret, fill ur moments with constructive action. Instead of worrying about ur ignorance, find out what u need 2 know. Success, happiness & fulfillment r not that complicated, though we often strive 2 make them so. We wait in pain & desperation 4 circumstances 2 improve, when circumstance has little 2 do with anything. What do u want 2 have, 2 be, 2 do? Then get up & take the actions which will surely bring u there. Stop waiting, stop worrying, stop complaining, stop settling 4 less. YOU're alive & overflowing with possibilities. Start living like it!

5-11-05

"Our real duty is always found running in the direction of our worthiest desires." - Randolph Bourne

Motivator: Those who only make use of their strengths r missing a big part of the picture. Use ur strengths, 2 b sure, & also make use of ur weaknesses. Ur weaknesses represent the areas in which u can make the greatest, most dramatic improvements. 4 example, instead of saying 2 urself "I'm no good @ meeting people" consider what an enormous difference u could make bi taking it upon urself 2 becum better @ meeting people. Bi turning around a particular weakness YOU can have a dramatic impact. Every1 is blessed with numerous weaknesses. Instead of denying them or trying not 2 think about them, select a few & make the effort 2 overcum them.

5-9-05

"The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist." - J. Harold Wilkins

Motivator: The thoughts u think help 2 form a big part of ur reality. Though nothing will happen solely bi thinking about it, thinking is the 1st crucial step 2 getting results. The thoughts u think give ur life its flavor. Ur thoughts r the breeding ground 4 ur reality. Every action u ever take will b preceded bi a thought. So what r u thinking? R u thinking about how unfair life is? If so, then it will b cruelly unfair 2 u. Or r u thinking about how great life can b? If so, u'll c exciting possibilities that others cannot even imagine. Ur mind is constantly turning out thoughts which do indeed have the power 2 change ur life. As much as u can possibly do so, put those thoughts 2 work 4 YOU. Think about it!

5-6-05

"The higher type of man clings to virtue, the lower type of man clings to material comfort. The higher type of man cherishes justice, the lower type of man cherishes the hope of favors to be received." --Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher

Motivator: The great thing about 2day is that it's wide open. R u not satisfied with some aspect of ur life? 2day u can take the first steps toward changing it. Is there something u truly desire 2 have, 2 becum, 2 experience, 2 create? This very day u r free & able 2 make all sorts of choices. Those choices determine precisely where ur life will go. What u do 2day can change the course of ur life far in2 the future. 2day is ur opportunity 2 make a real, positive difference in ur life & in the world around u. It is a powerful position u're in 2day. Live this very day with respect & responsibility toward ur own future & the treasure of 2day will b with YOU always.

5-5-05

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." - William James

Motivator: If u're constantly worried about little, trivial problems & annoyances, u'll end up getting little, trivial results. Yet when u tackle a big, major problem ur energy is directed toward producing significant positive results. Many people never get ahead simply because their problems r not big enough 2 draw them 4ward. 2 many lives r wasted fighting little, petty, but comfortable battles over & over again. If u're going 2 make a mark on this world u'll need 2 rise above the petty concerns which keep others from realizing their true potential. Put urself on the line. Get urself some challenges with meaning, & they'll propel u toward great achievements. Welcum those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them r YOUR most powerful opportunities.

5-4-05

"At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable." --Christopher Reeve (1952-) American Actor

Motivator: Passion makes things happen which would otherwise b considered impossible. Passion overcums obstacles which long ago would have stopped mere interest or resolve. Those who r passionate about what they do have an advantage that is nearly impossible 2 overcum. In passion there is energy, creativity, resilience & persistence. Passion will get it done. There is something about which u r passionate. Find it, understand it, & connect it with what u r doing. Put the power of passion behind the things u do. Live & act in harmony with a purpose that touches ur soul. Go beyond being inspired. Go beyond being merely motivated. Get really passionate & fulfill YOUR greatest possibilities.

5-3-05

"Judgment comes from experience, and great judgment comes from bad experience." - Robert Packwood

Motivator: When u abandon ur integrity in order 2 get what u want, whatever u get will not b worth having. When u go against ur own best judgment in pursuit of a token treasure or position, even if u get it the victory will b empty. Fulfillment & joy cum from the accomplishments in2 which u put the best u have 2 offer. Rewards & victories r urs 2 treasure 2 the extent that they r expressions of ur most firmly held values. The value of the achievement depends on the values that went in2 it. There is no shortcut 2 a life of meaning. It cannot b bought or stolen. It can only b created. B who u truly r while u work 4 what u truly desire. Keep YOUR integrity intact, & the rewards will b sweet indeed.

5-2-05

"Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much." - Erastus Wiman

Motivator: When u enjoy ur work, u put ur own special value in2 it. That causes it 2 yield even more value in return. There's no need 2 wait 4 ur fantasy job 2 cum along in order 2 enjoy the work u do. Whatever u're doing, the main ingredient in making it enjoyable is ur attitude. There's a widely held assumption that work is not fun, that it is some kind of punishment. That assumption is not shared bi the most successful people in this world. Those who can find a way 2 make any kind of work enjoyable r the 1's who accomplish great & astounding things. What's the difference between working & enjoying urself? There doesn't have 2 b a difference. Look @ YOUR work, whatever it is, as an opportunity 4 enjoyment.

4-29-05

"One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world – making the most of one's best." -- Harry Emerson Fosdick

Motivator: The real person u r is revealed in the moments when u're certain no other person is watching. When no 1 is watching, u r driven bi what u expect of urself. The foundation of success is built in the moments when no 1 else is watching. If ur efforts r only made 4 appearance, they will fall short. When u make the effort even though no 1 else is keeping track, that's a sure path 2 achievement. What do u do when no 1 is watching? U can't keep any secrets from urself. Success is built in the moments when u're truly free 2 b YOU. Make those moments count. Being a real winner is much better than just trying 2 look like 1.

4-28-05

"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. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? ... Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won't feel insecure around you ....It is not just some of us; it is 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 fear our presence automatically liberates others." Mandela 1994

Motivator: Wisdom cums from learning the difficult lessons which experience teaches. With wisdom cums respect, authority & effectiveness. U pay a hefty price 4 wisdom, & yet what u get is even more valuable than what u paid. It is indeed difficult 2 console urself 2 "learning from this" when things fail 2 go ur way. It is much easier 2 get angry, 2 get depressed, 2 complain or even 2 forget about the whole thing. But when u do that, u end up paying the price without getting any value in return. Whatever happens, let it increase ur wisdom &, ultimately, YOUR success. Whatever happens, get past the concerns of the moment & learn from it.

4-27-05

"Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life." -- Ann Landers

Motivator: B free, & savor every little grain of existence that dances b4 ur eyes. Beauty & joy r not what some1 says they r. U know them because of the way they fulfill u. Ur own doubt is ur opponent's greatest strength. Free urself from the burden of ur own anxiety. Whatever is, is already. Whatever u will b, is urs 2 create right now. Live each moment with all u have, not just with whatever has survived the worry. Life is urs 2 live. Though it is gritty, it is real. Though sadness cums, it is possible only because u care so much. Let go & live the joyful experience that is YOURS.

4-25-05

"The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper." - Aristotle

Moticator: After u've been defeated is not the time 2 give up. Look @ ur defeat as a payment in advance 4 ur ultimate success. It matters little that u've been defeated. What really counts is how quickly u get going again. Find something better 2 do. Pick urself up & get on with it. U're smarter now. U're wiser & more experienced. Each of ur defeats can bring u closer 2 victory, so why in the world would u want 2 let any of them stop u? YOU've already paid part of the price. Now get on with the business of reaping the reward.

4-21-05

"Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity." -- Paul Goodman

Motivator: When u think of something u must do, get 2 work on it as quickly as possible, & then continue working on it until it is finished. Tasks which u put off until later, or which u start & then put off finishing, will have the effect of clogging ur thoughts. If u regularly & consistently procrastinate, ur mind will soon become so filled with thoughts of what needs 2 b done that there will b little room 4 anything else. Clear out all those "need 2 dos" from ur thinking bi actually getting them done. Rather than worrying about them over & over again in ur mind, do them once & b finished. Free ur mind 2 recognize new opportunities, 2 develop new insights & 2 focus clearly on the business @ hand... 1 of the hardest things 4 me

4-20-05

"If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances." --Julia Sorel 1926-

Motivator: Look up @ the stars on a clear night. U r not looking @ some illusion. They r really there. U r right in the middle of it. Though ur problems of the moment may seem overwhelming, stop & ask urself, "Compared 2 what?" Consider that the sun will rise 2morrow. The seasons will continue 2 change. The light from distant stars will continue 2 stream across the vast reaches of space, 2 sparkle b4 ur eyes. R ur challenges really challenging? If they seem 2 b, then enlarge ur perspective. U have plenty of room 2 do that. U have an entire universe against which 2 consider those challenges. Back off far enough, & they will appear very tiny. Look at a big enough picture, & u'll find the courage, energy & inspiration 2 move on through those seemingly overwhelming problems.

4-19-05

"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: Anything that knocks u off track does so because u have allowed it 2. Keep in mind that u give power 2 ur circumstances. U fill them with ur life, ur purpose & ur meaning. They r ur reflection, not ur essence. 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. Circumstances may b very appealing or terribly frightening, yet u exist beyond those circumstances. Keep that ever in mind, & b true 2 ur greatest possibilities.

4-18-05

"The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them." - Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893), British theologian and classicist

Motivator: Yes, u want 2 get it done as quickly as possible. U also want 2 get it done right. Because getting it wrong & having 2 start over will cause an even bigger delay than taking the time 2 do it right. Focus on what u're doing. Put the worries or excitement about what's coming next out of ur mind. Give ur full attention 2 the task @ hand. Take the time 2 do it right, so u won't have 2 do it again. If u've tried speeding up & it doesn't seem 2 get u anywhere, consider slowing down. Speed is not the only thing that matters. Quality matters. Effectiveness matters. Paying attention matters. If u were having surgery, would u want the surgeon 2 rush through the operation? Respect what u're doing enough 2 give it the time & attention it deserves!

4-15-05

"Being defeated is often only a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." --Marilyn vos Savant 1946-NA

Motivator: Though we often take this world & this life 4 granted, the fact is that we exist, experience & even thrive against unimaginable odds. U're already a winner because u r here 2day, living & breathing, capable of making decisions, thinking thoughts, taking action & accomplishing great things. Though u've made mistakes, though others may have hurt u, though u may b weary & filled with regret, still this life is full of positive possibilities 4 u. Consider the boundless magnitude of ur good fortune. Live every moment as if it were the most miraculous thing YOU could ever imagine, because it is.

4-14-05

"Never speak of yourself to others; make them talk about themselves instead: therein lies the whole art of pleasing." -- J.E de Goncourt

Motivator: The same effort spent looking 4 excuses 2 quit could instead b used 2 keep reminding urself of ur reasons 2 keep going. Don't fight against ur own best interests. Instead, let ur thoughts support ur ambitions. Keep on convincing urself of the value of ur goals, & u'll keep on doing what is necessary 2 reach them. Deciding 2 persevere is no more difficult than deciding 2 quit. & when u decide 2 keep pressing 4ward, the rewards r infinitely greater than if u had decided 2 give up. B ur own biggest supporter. Use the strength of ur thoughts 2 continually encourage YOUR own positive, productive actions.

4-13-05

"Genuine security arises from actual, first-hand knowledge that one is both capable and worthy of achieving happiness (through conscious, responsible action) and, once having attained it, that he deserves it." --Michael J. Hurd () American Motivational Speaker

Motivator: Someday I'll work on that new idea, but 2day there r 2 many interruptions. Someday I'll sit down & get focused on my goals, but 2day is just not right. Someday never cums. It is always TODAY. No matter how far-reaching ur goal may b, no matter how long it will take 2 complete, there is something u can do about it 2day. There is a step u can take which will propel u 4ward. What things have u been scheduling 4 someday? Start 2 work on them this very day. Find something u can do now, & keep on going until they're accomplished. 2day is the space in which u r able 2 move YOUR dreams from someday 2 this day, so make the most of it.

4-12-05

"To live at this time is an inestimable privilege, and a sacred obligation devolves upon you to make right use of your opportunities." - Grenville Kleiser

Motivator: Though u have much in common with others, there r many differences as well. Even those who agree with u have a different perspective than ur own. No 1 else knows exactly what u know. No other person shares ur unique set of experiences, just as u do not share the exact same experiences as any1 else. Ur success in working with other people will depend largely on the degree 2 which u r able 2 understand & consider their unique perspectives, & on ur ability 2 make YOUR own perspective understood. Make the effort 2 sincerely understand, & 2 b understood. It will add value & effectiveness 2 every undertaking.

4-11-05

"From long familiarity, we know what honor is. It is what enables the individual to do right in the face of complacency and cowardice. It is what enables the soldier to die alone, the political prisoner to resist, the singer to sing her song, hardly appreciated, on a side street." --Mark Helprin () American Novelist and Writer

Motivator: U can choose 2 put 4th the absolute minimum effort necessary 2 make it through this day, & u will indeed make it through the day. Trouble is, 2morrow u'll end up right back where u started, with the need 2 make it through another day. Instead, use 2day 4 all it's worth. Make the effort 2 make some real progress. U know what needs 2 b done. U know what u want 2 accomplish. Now is the time 2 do it. Instead of "making it through" focus on "making it happen." Think of one little thing u can do 2day, that will improve all ur 2morrows, & then do it. Surely u have the time & energy 4 1 little improvement.Think of the difference it will make. When u're already moving sideways, it doesn't take that much more effort 2 change YOUR direction 2 4ward. 2day is here right now. Use it!

4-8-05

"Do not dare to live without some clear intention toward which your living shall be bent. Mean to be something with all your might." -- Phillips Brooks

Motivator: When u make a choice 2 follow a particular path, start doing it right away, not bi jumping blindly in2 it, but bi taking the appropriate first step without hesitation. Commitment cums from action. Deciding in ur mind is not enough 2 seal ur commitment. When u delay taking action, it becums less & less likely that ur decision will ever b transformed in2 reality. Give power 2 ur choices bi giving them ur efforts. There is always a first step 2 b taken, something that can b done right away. Once in motion, YOU r much more likely 2 stay in motion. So don't just think about it. Get up & do it. Right now.

4-7-05

"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him." --Epictetus (55-135 AD) Roman Philosopher

Motivator: Right now, think of something pleasant, something positive & uplifting, & smile. Think of someone special, of how they brighten ur life. Find something that will make u smile, & smile. Smile with sincerity, with ur eyes & ur face as well as ur lips, & u'll naturally bring out the best in the people around u. Smile as o talk on the phone. Even though the person on the other end cannot c ur smile, it will still cum across the line & inject a positive energy in2 the conversation. Smile as much as u can. Cum on... smile! A smile can work wonders. Put it 2 work 4 YOU.

4-6-05

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope." -- Sir Winston Churchill

Motivator: U say u're ready 4 the challenge, but in the back of ur mind u have serious, nagging doubts. There's a little voice that keeps popping up, reminding u of ur self-imposed limitations. U may b able 2 convince the rest of the world, but if u cannot win over the little voice in the back of ur mind, it will stop u cold. In the past, u've told urself or been told u can't do it so many times that ur doubt has taken on a life of its own. Now u must give life 2 ur confidence. Know u can do it. Tell urself, over & over again, that u can do it. With enough repetition, YOU'll begin 2 truly believe it & the doubt will surely fade. Change the cruel, whining voice of doubt 2 a resounding chorus of confidence.

4-5-05

"Unswerving loyalty to duty, constant devotion to truth, and a clear conscience will overcome every discouragement and surely lead the way to usefulness and high achievement." --Grover Cleveland

Motivator: Part of providing value 2 others is making sure u receive value in return. 4 example, if u have a conversation with some1, & u do all the talking, neither 1 of u benefits as much as if there had been a give-and-take interaction. Uneven transfers of value r never sustainable. It is in the best interest of every1 when value flows in both directions. Honor others bi exchanging value with them. Don't cheat people bi letting them take value from u without getting them 2 provide value 2 u in return. Don't spread the lie that there's such a thing bi pretending 2 offer a free lunch. Provide true, significant value 2 others bi making sure YOU get value in return.

4-4-05

"Those who turn good (organizations) into great (organizations) are motivated by a deep creative urge and an inner compulsion for sheer unadulterated excellence for its own sake." -Jim Collins, author of "Good to Great"

Motivator: U look @ some1 who has built a massive 4tune, or created a magnificent work of art, or achieved a prominent leadership role, & u have trouble identifying with that person. When u look @ any great achievement, usually u can c only the end result. That's because the splendor of such an achievement overshadows all the little details that went in2 creating it. The greatness in the achievement cums not from any supernatural skill or special advantage, but from persistence & commitment. Greatness cums from ordinary actions, focused on a specific objective, followed with dedication & resolve. Great achievements r built day bi day, step bi step, bi people just like u. Almost anything is possible when YOU r committed 2 pursuing it 1 step @ a time.

4-1-05

"Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." -William H. Sheldon

Motivator: When u look @ the world through the fog of ur own worries, ur anger, ur frustration & impatience, many valuable things will just pass u bi, completely unnoticed. Imagine driving through town while some1 is holding a gun 2 ur head. R u going 2 notice the new flower shop on the corner? Probably not. Ur focus will b on that gun. R u holding a gun 2 ur own head, bi constantly focusing on what's wrong with ur life? R u so obsessed with ur own problems that u don't c the opportunities all around u? Ur attention can b effectively focused on only 1 thing @ a time. Sure u have problems & challenges. Yet what is the point, what is the value of agonizing over them? There are a lot of GREAT things in ur life. Give YOUR attention 2 them & they will grow.

3-31-05

"Happiness is often the result of being too busy to be miserable." --Marco M Lopez

Motivator: Happiness is not the result of favorable conditions. That's backwards. Favorable conditions result from happiness. So what does it take 2 b happy? Nothing more than a willingness 2 b happy. Happiness cums from the way u respond 2 life. There r people who have every reason 2 b miserable, but who still live with happiness & joy. In every life, there is room 4 happiness. Every1 has challenges. Every1 has disappointments. Yet they do not have 2 get u down. True happiness cums not from the absence of problems. True, enduring happiness cums in spite of the problems. Unconditional Happiness is 4 u 2 have if YOU r willing!!!! ...another thought from experience...

3-30-05

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." --Robert Brault

Motivator: The image u have of urself 2morrow, depends on the actions u watch urself take 2day. The confidence with which u live next month, will b based on the integrity of ur actions this week. U can hide & conceal things from just about any1, but the person u r 2 becum is always watching. & that person's opinion of u will play a major role in ur life. Will u b proud 2morrow of what u did 2day? Will ur future self find strength in ur present actions & attitudes? Will u learn from ur mistakes & from ur successes? Live each moment like some1 is watching. Because some1 is watching, some1 who can make u or break u. Live so that the person u becum in the future can look back with gratitude & admiration @ the person YOU r right now.

3-29-05

"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." --Chinese proverb

Motivator: The best way 2 gain the support & cooperation of others is 2 ask urself this question: What's in it 4 them? A sincere & substantive answer 2 that question is better than $$$$$ in the bank. When u can offer real value, u'll have no problem getting real value in return. Remember, though, that real value is more than empty promises. Avoid focusing 2 much on what u're offering or what u need. Instead, consider what they're getting. What can u do 2 truly make it more valuable? Who stands 2 benefit more than u from the achievement of ur goals, & why? Great fortunes r made bi people who can answer that question.

3-28-05

"In doing your work in the great world, it is a safe plan to follow a rule I once heard on the football field: Don't flinch, don't fall; hit the line hard." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Motivator: Even if it is not part of ur job, even if it doesn't immediately advance ur career or earn u $$$$$, do something that u're good @. It will give u confidence. It will give u a valuable sense of satisfaction. It will give u practice @ being effective. It will remind u of all ur other accomplishments. It will get u in the habit of achieving, & will prompt u 2 expect the best of urself. Even more importantly, doing what u're good at will tap in2 the very real wealth that lies hidden inside of u. The surest way 2 accomplish anything, 2 reach any goal, is 2 utilize the best that is within YOU.

3-25-05

"Compromise: The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece." --Sherry Rothfield

Motivator: C the beauty in the world around u. It will awaken & revive the very real beauty within urself. Admire & appreciate the discipline & focus of others. U will becum more focused & disciplined urself. Everything 2 which u pay heed in the world that surrounds u, resonates within urself. If u envy & resent others 4 their success, that negativity reflects back on urself. Instead, recognize & respect the achievements of others. Then their success will b a part of u, & u a part of it. U cannot escape the consequences of a negative thought, regardless of 2 whom that thought is directed. Though u may b perfectly justified in being negative, look 4 the positive anyway. U cannot give without getting, so give the best that YOU have...don't hate cause one is succesful

3-24-05

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone." --Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) British Actress

Motivator: 2 often, when u visualize all the things that could go wrong, u never even make the attempt. It doesn't have 2 b that way. U can visualize anything u want. Ur imagination is urs 2 control. Instead of anticipating defeat, plan in ur mind 2 win. C urself achieving. Consider the possible challenges u'll face, & then c urself successfully overcuming them. U don't need any $$$$$, or experience, or knowledge, or permission from any1 else 2 b a winner in ur own mind. U can do it right now, & tomorrow, & 4 the rest of ur life. Think about what u do want, & discard thoughts of what u don't want. B a winner in ur mind, & ur positive mind will make YOU a winner... from my personal experience 2 u

3-23-05

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses." --Allophones Karr

Motivator: Do u ever catch urself saying "of course?" "I stopped @ the store 2 get some bread & of course they were all out. Adrian just called & of course he won't b able 2 cum 2 the meeting. I installed the new software & of course I can't figure out how 2 get it working." When you say "of course" do u realize what it implies? That whatever u were expecting, is what actually happened. Of course. Do expectations create ur reality? Of course they do. So make a practice of expecting the best. "Of course the meeting will go well. Of course I'll understand this. Of course we can do that. U'll rarely get more than u expect. Usually, u get exactly what u expect. So expect the very best.

3-22-05

"When you take a risk and step out of the norm, you run the risk and sometimes you fail. But you only fail if you give up." --J Peterman

Motivator: We usually think of determination as a very tense state, full of anxiety. Imagine the great things u could accomplish if u were determined & committed without being consumed bi apprehension.Realize that whatever happens is 4 the best when u r fully committed 2 being ur best. Although life will not unfold in the way u imagined, that does not prevent u from being precisely the person u want urself 2 b. Ur true essence is completely detached from anything which could possibly cause tension or anxiety. Live with that thought from moment 2 moment, & u'll enjoy a calm, peaceful determination.

3-21-05

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do" -Edward Everett Hale

Motivator: Thinking & saying that something "is" a certain way, puts u in danger of ignoring all the other possibilities. When u make a statement like "this is impossible" it cuts off all ur options. Many things which once were considered impossible have now becum routine. Rather than concluding that "this is impossible" try asking "what would make this possible?" The next time u find urself saying "this is" or "they r" or "I am" consider that there may indeed b many other possibilities. Rephrase the statement in2 a question & observe how it opens ur mind. Instead of saying "I am no good @ selling" ask "How can I improve my selling skills?" Instead of thinking "I'm an expert Interior Designer" ask "What more could I learn about designing?" Open YOURSELF 2 the possibilities.

3-18-05

"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: Rather than spending the whole day pursuing comfort & avoiding inconvenience, get up & do something meaningful. Rather than just reacting 2 the random events that cum along, focus on a particular goal & get it done. Instead of continuing 2 worry @ something that needs 2 b done, just go ahead & get it over with. Use ur creativity. Exercise ur mind & ur body. Whatever u do 2day, u'll b tired when it is all over. Will u b tired from enduring the same old thing as every other day? Or will u b exhausted after a day of creative effort & accomplishment? Think of how refreshing that would b! 2day is already underway, & it will end all 2 soon. Decide 2 fill it with life. Decide 2 make it great. C 4 urself how far u can go, when YOU make the most 2day!

3-17-05

"Yesterday is history, Tomorrow's a mystery. Today is a gift; that's why they call it "the present"." --Unknown

Motivator: When u worry about what u don't have, it is a waste of what u do have.U already have everything u need 2 b the person u r. Everything u've accomplished, all that u've experienced, all that u r right now, has cum from what u already have. Life is rich indeed, & it is already urs. Focus on what u can do with it. Seek out ways in which u can make a real, substantial difference. Rather than worrying about what u don't have, make the highest & best use of what u do have. It has been enough 2 bring u this far. & the more u value what u have, the more useful it will b.The only thing stopping u from making the most of ur life, is u. U already have what it takes.Put it 2 use 2day. YOU can wake up rich tomorrow, & grow wealthier every day.

3-16-05

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." -Anonymous

Motivator: The only reason ur job is boring, is because u choose 2 c it as such. The only reason ur neighbor is unpleasant, is because u think of him as such. Accept what is. Find the good in everything that surrounds u. Nothing will ever make u happy, until u decide 2 b happy. Accept what is, & u have the ability 2 make it whatever u want. Nothing can make u happy, & yet u can make happiness from anything. Struggle & strife, laughter & fun, tears & smiles r all part of the same incredibly abundant symphony that is life. The richness of being alive is never conditional. It won't all b fun, but would YOU really want it 2 b? Rejoice in every twist & turn of the path, because that is where the living is.

3-15-05

"To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is about." --James Clavell, in his novel "Shogun"

Motivator: Right now u can take 1 sure & steady step toward whatever u desire. It may not seem like much, yet 4 every step 4ward u take, u actually gain 2 steps. Y? Because @ any point in time u have a choice. U can either move toward ur goal or u can move away from it. Standing still is usually not an option. So when u move 4ward, u also avoid moving backward. That's a net gain of double ur effort. When u spend ur time & effort 2day in moving 4ward, not only do u make progress, u also avoid having 2 play catch up tomorrow. Indeed, now is the time 2 act. The sooner u get started, the farther u can go & the more effective u'll b. The choice is urs. This moment right now is YOURS 2 leverage in a powerful way. It's a great opportunity. Make it count!

3-14-05

"When we are mindful of every nuance of our natural world, we finally get the picture: that we are only given one dazzling moment of life here on Earth, and we must stand before that reality both humbled and elevated, subject to every law of our universe and grateful for our brief but intrinsic participation with it." (From her biography of naturalist Eustace Conway.) --Elizabeth Gilbert

Motivator: Find joy in ur work, & that work will bring abundant riches. Find joy in the people around u, & they'll lift u 2 incredible heights. Find joy in disciplined effort, & ur accomplishments will b amazing. Find joy in learning; ur wisdom will carry u far & well. Joy is not 2 b taken & hoarded. It is 2 b discovered & lived. Ur joy cums not at someone else's permission or bi way of their generosity, or at their expense. Ur joy cums from ur ability 2 extract & refine it from the perfectly normal & many circumstances in which u're wrapped up. Look 4 joy. Expect 2 find it. It is there. It is here. It is everywhere. It is YOURS 2 find, 2 build, 2 create & 2 live.

3-11-05

"The great end of art is to strike the imagination with the power of a soul that refuses to admit defeat even in the midst of a collapsing world." --Friedrich Nietzsche

Motivator: In every victory & every defeat there is the opportunity 2 learn. With each new person u meet, with each new situation u encounter, cums an opportunity 2 learn. Learning can move ur life 4ward. Learning allows u 2 smash through ur previous limitations. Learning is a lifelong experience, & a necessity if u r 2 fulfill ur positive possibilities. Through learning u can distinguish urself. U can raise urself 2 new heights despite the challenges standing in ur way. Every day is a golden treasure chest full of things 2 learn. Those who partake of that treasure bring many great things 2 themselves & their world. Any1 can learn, & every1 can benefit from learning. Learn all u can @ every opportunity; delight in the riches that knowledge & wisdom can bring.

3-10-05

"Our greatest happiness in life does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits." -- Thomas Jefferson

Motivator: 2 often the apprehension over those things that might b, unlikely as they r, holds us back from the great things that very well could b. Ironically, what ends up happening is the very worst thing that could possibly happen -nothing @ all. Though there r risks in every moment, they r far outweighed bi the positive possibilities. 4 every difficulty that might befall u, there r a dozen opportunities waiting 2 b seized. Boldly venture out 2day & every day. Live fully the miraculous life with which u're blessed. The joys r urs 2 experience when u have the courage & faith 2 participate. Take a deep breath. Realize that there's a whole, wonderful world just waiting 4 YOU 2 relish. B a part of it. Focus on the great things that could b, & delight in making them happen.

3-9-05

"Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight." - Helen Keller

Motivator: When u can do what is needed u can accomplish anything. If u don't know how, u can learn. If there's some particular resource that's essential, u can locate it. If there is a certain necessary skill, u can develop it. If the support of others is required, u can build it. If u're not sure exactly what is needed, u have the ability 2 reason it through & find it out. Every great achievement has cum about as a result of doing what is needed. Each & every dream u desire 4 urself & ur world can b reached bi doing what is needed. What do u plan 2 accomplish 2day, or within the next month, the next year? It's a simple concept, & an overwhelmingly powerful 1, available 2 anybody. Stop waiting 4 life 2 hand u an easy treasure. Do what is needed 2day & achieve whatever YOU desire.

3-08-05

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

Motivator: Do the uncomfortable, tedious things 1st. Get them out of the way. Then u won't have them hanging over ur head. Then u're free 2 really enjoy the fun things. Is there something u've been dreading, something u know u must do but u just cannot bring urself 2 do it? Get up right now & get started on it. Don't wait another moment. It's unpleasant enough that u have 2 do it. There's no need in prolonging that unpleasantness bi putting it off. Get it done. The worst part of it is the anticipation, & u can put an end 2 that right now. Just go ahead & soon u'll enjoy the freedom of having it behind u. Take a great big positive step forward. Get on past whatever u've been putting off. Lighten ur load & YOU'll move ahead faster than ever. Marco

3-7-05

"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

Motivator: Put time on ur side bi making use of every moment. Put truth on ur side bi being truthful. Put respect on ur side bi genuinely offering it 2 others. Put honor on ur side bi living honorably. Put opinion on ur side bi being thoughtful. Put wisdom on ur side bi learning from each experience (or reading these motivators =)) ). Put hope on ur side bi finding the positive in every situation. Ur strongest advantages r the 1's which cum from the way u live ur life. Ur most effective efforts r the 1's which cum from ur heart. What u truly value will bring true value 2 YOU.

3-4-05

"If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week." -- Charles Darwin :-" Ironically, I don't like to read, so I rather jam

Motivator: U have so very much. There r people who love u. There is a world of beauty & opportunity all around u. U can think. U can act. U can make choices. U can learn. U can grow. U have hopes & dreams, & the ability 2 follow them. U can make a true & lasting difference in the world around u. U have a day full of life that's waiting 2 b lived, right here & now. U have challenges which can build ur strength, & energy with which 2 meet them. Ninety-five percent of what the wealthiest, most successful people alive have, u have 2. & that other five percent is urs 2 create as YOU c fit.

3-3-05

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up." --Booker T. Washington Which one do you do the most?

Motivator: More things can b accomplished more quickly in a situation where there is trust among everyone involved. Trust can often make the difference between success & failure.Trust grows & thrives when there is a genuine commitment 2 truth. Truth is not always convenient or easy. It is often difficult & awkward. Yet truth is an absolute necessity 4 building trust, & without trust it is difficult 2 get anything accomplished.Even liars demonstrate a respect 4 the truth, though sadly they also demonstrate an ignorance of how 2 attain it. A lie would have no purpose if there was no truth. Yet the real, lasting power of truth cums only from being truthful. The more fully YOU live each moment in truth, the more powerful & effective those moments will b.

3-02-05

"We all get report cards in many different ways, but the real excitement of what you're doing is in the doing of it. It's not what you're gonna get in the end - it's not the final curtain - it's really in the doing it, and loving what I'm doing." --Designer Ralph Lauren

Motivator: When all is quiet, when the necessities of the day have been tended 2, when ur mind is free of any constraints, what do u think about? Do u dwell on anger, limitation, worry, or envy? Or do u fill ur mind with thoughts of love, possibility, confidence, abundance & generosity? The thoughts u think most frequently, willingly & intensely have the power 2 shape & define the reality of ur life. So what thoughts r shaping u right now? Even in the most unfortunate, desperate situations is it possible 2 fill ur mind with the loftiest thoughts. Indeed, it takes effort & intention 2 direct ur thoughts. Yet it is an ability which no outside power or limitation can deny 2 u.Thinking alone won't get u anywhere. Yet what u think will surely determine who YOU'll b.

3-01-05

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

Motivator: True friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse, we cross in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Remeber that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Forget me nots....

2-28-05

"Remember that if the opportunities for great deeds should never come, the opportunities for good deeds are renewed day by day. The thing for us to long for is the goodness, not the glory." - F.W. Faber This quote, my friends, is one of the most inspirational which I try to live by...making it next in line to the Golden Rule.,

Motivator: When things seem 2 b at their worst is the ideal time 4 u 2 b at ur best. When the situation is difficult & getting worse, there's no need 2 deny reality or hide from the truth. Neither is there any need, however, 2 get pulled down with the negativity. The greatest opportunities cum from the most difficult problems. In times of great challenge, moving positively forward -- even if bi just a little bit -- can dramatically alter the momentum 4 the better. & then that momentum can grow quickly. Keep going. Keep moving steadily forward, especially when circumstances seem 2 b working against u. Remember -- that's when YOU can make the most meaningful positive difference.

2-25-05

"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." --Carrie Fisher Don't waste your time with such self cruelty of a feeling, instead...learn to forgive and move on.

Motivator: In many ways being ur most diligent critic is good. It can keep u focused. It can prevent u from making serious mistakes. & yet ur own self-criticism can also hold u back. It can stop u be4 u ever get started. It can cause u 2 discard ideas & plans which could turn out 2 b quite valuable if pursued. Pay attention 2 ur own inner critic. After all, u know urself better than any1 else. Ur criticism of urself is often useful & well deserved. At the same time, don't let urself b stopped bi that criticism. It's great 2 hold urself 2 a high standard, as long as that doesn't also hold u back. Temper ur self-criticism with self-encouragement. Answer YOUR own criticism with a renewed positive commitment 2 achievable excellence.

2-24-05

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

Motivator: Recall ur most deeply held desires. Think of ur richest blessings. Focus on ur most profound joys. Have ur dreams b-cum buried under the aimless details of everyday life? Is ur attention 2 often dominated bi trivial things 2 the point where there's no time or energy remaining 4 that which truly matters? There is a beautiful & powerful meaning 2 ur life under all the noise. Of course u know that. It pays 2 remember often. When the details, problems, disappointments, & complexities seem overwhelming, keep in mind that there is much, much more 2 life. Give time, thought, value & expression 2 those things which r truly important 2 u, & those things in turn will bring a depth of richness 2 ur life. Surround urself with positive people that like YOUR presence.

2-23-05

"No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness." -- Phillips Brooks

Motivator: u have the opportunity 2 live. Think 4 a moment about what that means. Though the day may include some pain, loss, discomfort & disappointment, it is also full of life. U can sense. U can think. U can act. U can build. U can grow. U can create. U r alive & the possibilities r endless. How will u make use of ur good fortune at being alive 2day? There r so many ways 2 make a positive & lasting difference in ur own life & in the world around u. Which of these will u choose 2 pursue on this day that is filled with opportunity? Take a deep breath of fresh air & feel ur body fill with the energy of being alive. Hold ur head high & put a smile on ur face. Though troubles surround u they cannot defeat u. Stay in touch with what it means 2 b alive as YOU move forward.

2-22-05

"You are not happy because you are well. You are well because you are happy. You are not depressed because trouble has come to you, but trouble has come to you because you are depressed. You can change your thoughts and feelings, and then the outer things will come to correspond, and indeed there is no other way of working." --Emmet Fox


Motivator: Although taking a risk does not guarantee success, avoiding risk does guarantee failure. Risk is not the enemy of achievement. It is a companion of achievement. Only when there's a chance of something going wrong can anything get done right. Progress is built on risks which have been 4seen, accepted & effectively managed. 2 get from here 2 there necessarily involves some degree of risk. B cautioned. B careful. B smart. B prepared. But don't b stopped.
Prepare urself 2 achieve bi preparing 4 the risks that will surely cum in the course of that achievement. Value is built as u move through those risks, 4 they r what separate real accomplishments from mere wishes.Have the confidence 2 succeed in love....as I am trying.

2-21-05

"There are obviously two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." --James Truslow Adams

Motivator: Any desired destination can b reached bi maintaining the appropriate direction & movement. When u drive ur car, u control direction with the steering wheel. Movement is supplied bi the fuel & the engine.When pursuing a goal in ur life, direction is controlled bi ur expectations & movement is supplied bi ur actions. As long as ur expectations r focused in the appropriate direction, & 2 the degree that ur actions support those expectations, u'll achieve what u set out 2 achieve. Every moment of every life has direction & movement. What is urs like? Is it random, drifting, or even reckless? Or is it bringing u steadily toward where u wish 2 b? U're at the wheel. U control the accelerator. U might as well drive YOURSELF somewhere great! Cum, tag along with me!

2-20-05

Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome." -- Samuel Johnson

Motivator: Understanding is the profit to be gained from knowledge. We live in a world that is awash in information, and yet true understanding, by comparison, remains a rare and precious treasure. It takes effort to refine knowledge into understanding -- the effort of thought. The knowledge you amass is valuable. The understanding you extract from that knowledge can be priceless. With enough understanding you'll know not only what has already happened, but also what will come to be as a result. With understanding, you'll clearly see opportunities others cannot even glimpse. There is awesome power and effectiveness in understanding. Seek not only to know. Seek to understand. Make the effort to understand. Have the courage and the discipline to think for yourself, and you'll transform mere knowledge into true understanding

2-18-05

"Fate is the friend of the good, the guide of the wise, the tyrant of the foolish, the enemy of the bad." Where do you stand with fate?

Motivator: The limitations u've imposed on urself have dropped away.The disappointments of ur past no longer hold u down.The opinions of others cannot stand in ur way more. Imagine that u r free 2 focus on creating a better life 4 urself & 4 the world in which u live. Though there r difficult challenges, rather than wasting ur energy worrying about or fighting them, u use that energy 2 work ur way through them.Imagine that u r free of failure.Each setback is nothing more than a stepping stone on the sure & steady path 2 ultimate success.U r free 2 achieve whatever u choose 2 achieve, 2 live in the way u choose 2 live, 2 b-cum the person u choose 2 b-cum. Imagine u r free, & u r.Truly imagine u r on the path of success, & u r.Imagine it with YOUR most deeply held passion, & it is so.

2-17-05

"Trials, temptations, disappointments -- all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fibre of a character, but strengthen it. Every conquered temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before." --James Buckham

Motivator: Think of a time in ur life when u were particularly courageous, a time when u were especially creative, persistent, focused or adventurous. Consider that u r still the same person even now. Certainly circumstances have changed since then, & u have changed as well. Yet that capacity 4 courage is still with u. Connect urself with that courage & put ur life in2 it. U have it, there's no doubt. It is there, waiting 2 move u forward. Let urself live in it. Though the world is often harsh, there r boundless opportunities all around u. & u have the courage 2 make the most of them. Gather the circumstances of ur life & let that courage infuse them, so that everything becums an opportunity 4 moving 4ward. Live in courage & make life great.

2-16-05

"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." --Phillips Brooks

Motivator: Wanting, needing & even craving things can severely limit ur enjoyment of them & their value in ur life. When u put all ur energy in2 lusting after something, u create a situation in which u can never have enough. Joy & fulfillment can cum only when u do have enough. Having enough depends not on the size of ur bank account or the number of people @ ur party. Having enough happens whenever u choose 2 let it happen. Thinking that u can never get enough is tragically self-fulfilling. Ambition can take u a long way, & yet if ambition is all u have it will eventually get in ur way. Aim high, 2 b, sure, & then accept it when u have arrived there.When u make the effort 2 go after something, also take the time & effort 2 enjoy it & 2 let it fill YOUR life.

2-14-05

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." - George Sand

Motivator: Worrying about the future or regretting the past will drain energy away from u. Set aside those futile efforts & put the power of ur being in2 being where u r. Focus on the moment at hand, at being ur best right here & now. Plan 4 the future, 2 b sure, but don't let ur considerable energy b drained off bi it. B aware of where u r, & of where ur focus lies. If u catch urself drifting off in2 the anxieties of the past or the future, gently pull urself back in2 the present moment. There is so much u can accomplish bi doing what u can, when u can. Now is ur moment 2 live. Give ur attention & ur energy 2 where u r. Make the very best use of each moment as it cums along bi living it 2 its fullest. Focus on being where u r, & YOU'll b in a great & positive place indeed.

2-13-05

Thoughtfulness for others, generosity, modesty and self-respect are the qualities which make a real gentleman or lady.- Thomas H. Huxley
You have survived every single challenge that has come your way. And when you look back on the things you've done, it is clear that not only have you survived those challenges, they have caused you to learn, to grow, to become stronger. Challenge is difficult, and it is valuable as well. Challenge can energize. Challenge can focus. Challenge can turn mere passing interest into rock solid commitment. It can turn mediocre into exceptional. In the long run, challenge pays off with big rewards. One of the surest ways to move your life forward is through challenge. Sometimes the challenges are forced upon you. But you don't have to wait for challenges to come your way. Seek out challenges for the value they offer. Improve the quality of your life by increasing the level of your challenges. You've already made it through a lifetime of challenges. Continue to find more that will move you ahead and compel you to become even stronger. Seize the challenges and you'll grasp your dreams.

2-11-05

"There is no sensual pleasure in the world comparable to the delight and satisfaction that a good man takes in doing good." -- Tillotson (%) Why is it so hard for us to do the right thing? If you haven't experienced the satisfation of unconditionally doing good to others, you have deprived yourself of such delight. It's never too late, though.

Motivator: C this day with the awe it deserves. It is a blessing with no equal. 2day is an opportunity, an adventure, a challenge, a glorious experience filled with enlightenment & wonder. Consider the depth & extent of the richness which spreads out be4 u, within ur grasp. What a great time 2 b alive! How will u make the most of this grand existence which is condensed in2 the day u now behold? U can think. U can reason. U can move about. U can take action. & u can do all these things with a directed purpose. U can make a difference 2day. Though this day is awesome indeed, it's nothing compared 2 what YOU can make of it.

2-10-05

"Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past." -- Tyron Edwards

Motivator: Though u may hold tightly 2 limitations & even embrace them, u can also free urself from them when u decide 2 do so. Though they may seem like an integral part of u, they r not. U have adopted them & u can also let them go. Though ur life would certainly b different, the fact is that u would still b u. U don't need the limitations. They're not permanently bonded 2 u. U can indeed disengage. That freedom is closer than u think. It begins the moment u stop giving power 2 ur limiting thoughts, feelings, habits & actions. Rather than looking 4 excuses 2 give up, find the reasons 2 move forward. Go beyond those limiting thoughts & free urself 2 b YOUR very best...I need to let them go for you ,6D983, be patient please.

2-9-05

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

Motivator: Though most goals take a long & sustained effort 2 reach, the benefits of moving toward them begin 2 accrue immediately. That positive influence takes hold the moment u commit 2 reaching the objective. It gives 2 each day, each moment, each action an energy which would not otherwise b present. While it is true that genuine accomplishment requires effort applied over time, that eventual accomplishment begins 2 return value as soon as u start 2 work on it. Working diligently toward a future objective adds real value 2 ur world 2day. So what r u waiting 4? Set ur sights on an ambitious goal & start right now 2 reach 4 it. The reaching, the striving, the discipline & the effort r their own rewards. & they serve 2 make the goal, when it is indeed reached, more valuable.

2-8-05

"Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength." -Anonymous Don't forget these words next time you are passing through diffucult moments; Remember that you will never pass through anything that you can't handle!!!

Motivator: Something will grow in the garden of ur life 2day.Will it b an unsightly weed or a beautiful flower? Will it b what u've planned & created bi ur thoughts & actions, or will it simply b what u've allowed bi ur carelessness & lack of clear direction. Fail 2 plant, fail 2 tend the garden, & something will still grow there. But it probably won't b 2 ur liking.Walking through a neighborhood, it is easy 2 spot the gardens which r carefully & lovingly tended. They're the bright & bountiful 1's. Likewise, a life that's well tended is filled with the bright, beautiful rewards of that care & effort.What will grow in ur life 2day? The fertile ground is waiting 4 the seed of ur purpose & the care of ur commitment. 2day u can grow something of value & beauty..I believe it already has.

2-7-05

"The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one's opportunities, and to make the most of one's resources." -- Vauvenargues

Motivator: The surest way 2 make a good impression is 2 b urself. After all, being u is what u do best. U have a great deal of experience at it. The surest way 2 look like a fool is bi attempting 2 impress others with something u're not. Success cums from substance. Perhaps u think the substance of ur life is not that impressive. If so, u're completely & absolutely wrong! U own experiences, thoughts, interests, knowledge, passions, desires, integrity & sense of humor, among many other things, set u apart & make u truly special. The power of substance cums from being who u r. B u. It is ur destiny. The world is waiting 2 joyfully throw its arms around the genuine, valuable person u know YOU r! ..from curent experience.

2-4-05

"Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it." - William Durant, founder of General Motors

Motivator: Each disappointment in ur life will continue 2 weigh u down only until u learn & accept what that it has 2 teach u. The moment a disappointment b-cums a learning & growing experience is the moment in which it is transformed in2 a triumph.The chance 2 learn from ur shortcomings & grow out of ur disappointments is 1 of the richest opportunities u can ever experience. Adversity is a thorough, effective & highly personalized teacher. The powerful lessons learned in the midst of disappointment will stay with u always. When u can bring urself 2 b grateful 4 ur problems u'll begin 2 harvest their positive value. Life is difficult; out of that difficulty grows meaning & beauty. In each disappointment is the seed of fulfillment. Learn what it has 2 teach...believe!

2-3-05

"If you do the best you can, you will find, nine times out of ten, that you have done as well as or better than anyone else." - William Feather

Motivator: Every person, at some level, has a desire 2 make a difference. Getting things done, making things happen, creating positive value though effort is a powerful & proven way 2 make that difference. Yet all 2 often we go out of our way 2 seek comfort & convenience while avoiding as much effort as possible. We make the tragic assumption that "the good life" is defined bi an absence of effort, when in fact the opposite is true. There's nothing more empty than a life devoted 2 leisure. Fill ur days with honest & effective effort. Make a difference in a positive way & YOUR rewards will b great. Experience the abundance of joy which comes from making things happen & getting things done....from experience chronicles of Marco

2-1-05

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." - William James

Motivator: Rather than lamenting what u do not have, make the most of what u do have. Rather than being stopped bi what u cannot do, move forward bi doing what u can do. Instead of agonizing over the past or worrying about the future, make sure that right now u r the very best u can b. Put ur attention & ur effort where they count. Use ur energy & ur time where they can make the biggest positive difference. Being positive is more than just repeating happy phrases. Being positive means doing what is necessary & right even if it is not easy or popular. Positive values r more than just cliché. Sincere positive values result in effective positive actions. & those actions will bring real, lasting & substantial achievement.

1-28-05

"How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." -- William Shakespeare

Motivator: When 1 approach is not working 2 reach the desired goal, that's not a reason 2 abandon the goal. Instead, it is time 2 devise another approach. Sometimes the objective & the means 2 that objective becum so intertwined that it is difficult 2 imagine 1 without the other. Yet there r many different ways 2 reach any particular goal, given enough persistence & creativity. That's why, 4 those who r able 2 consistently get things done, there is no such thing as failure. There r only approaches which have been proven ineffective. There is a way 2 achieve whatever u desire, even when u've already fallen short of the mark. There is a way 2 do it. That way may not b obvious. It may well require some skillful, creative thinking. It's there, though. Learn from each attempt, learn from each approach & YOU'll surely discover 1 that works spectacularly.

1-24-05

"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: 4 the most part, life is not an emergency, though 2 many of us live each hour of each day as if it is. Whatever u r doing, whatever deadlines u r working against, relax. Agitation & anxiety accomplish nothing other than raising ur blood pressure & making u more prone 2 mistakes. Sure, u have a lot 2 get done 2day, & the list continues 2 grow. So take a deep breath, relax, & get 2 work at a sure & steady pace. Relaxation does not require a lack of activity. Just about anything that can b done in a state of anxiety can b done even more effectively in a state of relaxation.Whatever u're doing, relax right now, & find true enjoyment in getting it done.

1-23-05

"He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has." -- Epictetus

Motivator: Have u ever noticed how much ur own thinking can often interfere with ur awareness? U've probably had the experience of failing 2 hear what some1 is saying 2 u because u're busy thinking of how 2 answer them. There is a time 4 thinking, 4 questioning & judgment, 4 analyzing & strategizing, & there is a time 4 opening urself up 2 experience the world around u. U r well equipped 2 think, & u r also equipped 2 listen, 2 feel, 2 see, 2 experience. Thoughts can b powerful. The absence of thoughts can b powerful as well. Many things r annoying, 4 example, simply because u think they're annoying. What grand & beautiful things might lie hidden underneath the relentless noise of ur own thoughts? Pursue ur thoughts with vigor, & when the situation calls 4 it, let ur thoughts b still. Strength & wisdom cum not only from excitement & complexity, but also from a quiet & peaceful awareness of what is.

1-21-05

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." -- Gandhi

Motivator: Simple answers r usually powerful & effective, yet challenging. Easy answers r usually appealing, but not very effective, & can even b dangerous. Let's say u need 2 lose weight. The simple answer is -get more regular exercise & eat a more nutritionally balanced diet. That's simple enough, & though often difficult 2 follow, usually effective. The easy answer is -take this pill & eat anything u want. Very appealing, but it probably won't work. U can spot an easy answer because it is something u want 2 hear. Even though it may not make much sense, if u want 2 hear it badly enough u can make urself believe it. U can spot simple answers because they seem so obvious, even though they may b a bit challenging. Go 4 simple; it's probably what YOU need 2 do.

1-20-05

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -- Norman MacFinan

Motivator: Does what u're doing need 2 play any role in how u feel? What if u could b filled with joy no matter what the situation, no matter what u were doing? Is that really possible? Of course it is. Ur capacity 4 joy is not dependent on any particular situation, activity or outcum. Certainly there r conditions & results which u desire. Yet they do not make u or break u as a person. U can rise above the conflict, u can detach urself from mere circumstances. & when u do there is a blessed freedom which gives power, focus & effectiveness 2 all u do. Don't ignore reality or run away from it. Simply transcend it. U r more than ur circumstances, more than ur problems, more than ur possessions, more than ur burdens; YOU're able 2 make the very best of them no matter what they may b.

1-19-05

"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: A mate almost made me mad coming 2 work, but this is what I have 2 say....2day is the result of reasonable, visible & even predictable influences. Though many of 2day's circumstances may seem unfair, unjust or cruelly random, 2 throw up ur hands & curse them as such will only blind u 2 the positive possibilities. Look thoughtfully @ how u arrived @ this point. Those same influences which combined 2 make this day what it is can b harnessed 2 bring u 2 wherever u wish 2 go. 2day has a cause & today has an effect. 2day u can plainly c what has already happened & u can directly affect what is 2 b. Put everything u have 2day in2 advancing & fulfilling those positive possibilities which r uniquely embodied in this irreplaceable moment.

1-18-05

"When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound. Rebuild those plans and set sail once more toward your coveted goal." -- Napoleon Hill

Motivator: Imagine how it would b 2 go through this entire day without ever thinking of urself. Think of all the concerns that would suddenly drop away. U'd b free 2 speak & act without worrying about what others would think. There would b no time wasted in b-ing angry or taking offense or worrying. The limitations u've placed on urself would completely disappear. Just think of how much u could accomplish. Just think of the clear & refreshing sense of freedom it would bring. The fact is, u can do it 2day. U can indeed b free of ur own limitations, free from useless anger, worry, & despair. Decide 2 expand ur focus b-yond those familiar old self concerns which hold u down. Lose urself in ur own positive possibilities, & c what great things u can make happen 2day.

1-17-05

"We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind with a tender heart." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Motivator: Don't wait 4 some1 2 give u permission 2 succeed & achieve. Get urself busy & do it. Take it upon urself 2 figure it out. Don't wait 4 just the right situation. Don't count on b-ing lucky. Do what it takes 2 make ur own good 4tune. Learn from others. Seek the advice, input & feedback of those whose opinions u respect. But don't depend on any1 or anything 2 do it 4 u. Make the best of fortunate situations, but don't depend on luck or chance. Depend on those things over which u have the most direct control -ur own thoughts & actions, ur ability 2 make the choices which will lead 2 precisely where u have decided 2 go. Ur destiny is in ur hands. Think like it & act like it with each passing moment. Take hold of that destiny & make it the best it can possibly b.

1-16-05

"Every man has an obscure respect for courage in others, especially if it is moral courage, the rarest and most difficult sort of bravery... It makes the very brute understand that this man is more than a man." --Passage from Life of Christ

Motivator: Paint the masterpiece of 2day with wide & brilliant strokes. Make every moment count. Treat this day as the priceless opportunity that it is, so that when tomorrow comes, u can look back with satisfaction as u continue 2 look forward with eager anticipation. U've spent ur life preparing 4 2day. Now has cum ur chance 2 live it. U're better than u've ever been. Though the challenges u face r formidable, so 2 r the opportunities 2 make a real & lasting positive difference. U can truly c & understand that life is beautiful even in the difficult moments. 2day is indeed ur next masterpiece, taking shape even now. Make it better than YOU can imagine...anecdote from my mom (2day 2 yrs. RIP)

1-14-05

"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole soul into it -- every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." - John D. Rockefeller III

Motivator: The more highly focused, the more amazing the accomplishment.Yet we must b careful not 2 confuse focus with narrow mindedness. We must indeed stay focused, & we must also b aware of, open 2, & accepting of the opportunities that cum our way. Opportunity rarely comes in the form we expect & plan 4. The challenge of successful living is 2 gather the many & varied opportunities which cum 2 us on a daily basis, & direct them toward the objectives we have defined. 2 do that requires discipline, confidence, belief & commitment. Life will flow ur way if u let it. This is not a magical, mystical notion, but rather a very practical concept. The "raw material" 4 success cums in each moment of living. Spend those moments, & their accompanying opportunities, toward some definite purpose. Marco

1-13-05

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming." -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Motivator: What can u do 2day that will make the most difference 2morrow? What can u do 2day that will improve ur performance over yesterday? What can u do 2day that will have the biggest positive impact on the most people? What can u do 2day that is above & beyond what's expected of u? What can u do 2day that will help u grow? What new things can u learn? What can u do 2 apply the lessons u've already learned? Excellence cums not from boredom & good intentions, but rather from days & moments lived with the sincere & committed effort 2 b YOUR best.

1-12-05

"Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in circumstances confronting him." -St. Thomas Aquinas

Motivator: Is there something that could bring success & accomplishment, but u just can't bring urself 2 do it? Y not? Is it really so bad? Or have u just b-cum so used 2 avoiding it, that u've created a block against it? Habits & attitudes perpetuate themselves. & often we find it necessary 2 break free. Chances r, whatever u're avoiding, u've probably done many other things that r just as risky or unpleasant or difficult. It's not the thing itself that's stopping u -it's u. In fact, some of the actions u take 2 avoid it, r probably just as uncomfortable as doing it in the 1st place.Whatever needs 2 b done -do it! Break free of ur own limiting attitude.U can handle whatever challenges cum ur way. Stop holding urself back, & learn 2 enjoy the actions that lead 2 success....believe.

1-11-05

"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent." -- Isaac Newton

Motivator: What do u expect of urself? What do u expect of others? In most cases, what u get is very close 2 what u expect. U'll rarely earn more than u expect 2 earn. & u'll rarely earn less. Other people will usually deal with u the way u expect them 2. 2 improve ur results,1st improve ur expectations. When u truly expect 2 earn more $$$, u naturally find a way 2 do so. When u respect others enough 2 expect the best of them, they'll come through with a great performance. Base ur expectations not on what has happened in the past. Rather, let ur expectations b guided bi what u desire 4 the future. Set ur expectations free of the artificial limits imposed bi previous disappointments.

1-10-05

"Don't wait for your "ship to come in" and feel angry and cheated when it doesn't. Get going with something small." - Irene Kassorla

Motivator: There r plenty of great opportunities in this world, & new opportunities cum along every day. Making the most of those opportunities requires preparation. Success is not dependent so much on access 2 opportunity as it is on the amount of preparation that has preceded the opportunity. Preparation is not usually very exciting. In the short term it can b tedious & uninspiring. Yet is pays off in BIG ways. When u r prepared, u can make the most of the good times. When u r prepared, u can thrive even in the difficult times. 2morrow will cum, R u doing anything 2day 2 prepare 4 it? As the months & years pass bi, & they surely will, the preparation u do right now will bring much added value 2 ur life.

1-7-05

"The best portion of a good man's life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." --William Wordsworth -In other words do good without any expectations; do it from the heart! Remember that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Motivator: 4 anything worth having, anything of value, there is a price 2 pay. If there were no price, there would b no value.The price is in fact a big part of what gives it the value. If diamonds were scattered around on the ground everywhere, they would b worth no more than pieces of gravel. The rarity of diamonds, & the resulting price that must b paid 2 obtain them, r what make them so valuable. Trying 2 obtain something of value without paying the price will only lead 2 frustration & disappointment. Much of the misery in the world 2day is the result of such misguided quests. 4 anything of value, b willing 2 pay the price. B grateful & enthusiastic about paying the price. B-cause without the price 2 pay, there is nothing of value.

1-6-05

"The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them." - Benjamin Jowett

Motivator: Energize ur life bi starting each day with gratitude. When u wake up, b4 u do anything else, stop & count ur blessings. Then find something special about each day 4 which u can b thankful. It's a great way 2 get each day started on a positive note, & it can make a major difference throughout the day. Actively practicing gratitude on a regular basis will keep u in touch with the very best of ur possibilities. It will enable u 2 c opportunities & utilize resources which may otherwise have remained hidden or forgotten. There r many good things in ur life. It makes sense 2 fully appreciate & enjoy them. When u do, those positive things will grow even stronger. Begin each day bi counting ur many blessings. Bi so doing YOU'll attract many more, believe me.....

1-5-04

"Not the owner of many possessions will you be right to call happy: he more rightly deserves the name of happy who knows how to use the Gods' gifts wisely and to put up with rough poverty, and who fears dishonor more than death." --Horace

Motivator: What u need, others need as well. What u desire, so do others desire 2. Following ur dreams is not greedy. Pursuing ur most deeply held desires is not selfish, 4 in so doing u also serve 2 fulfill the dreams & desires of those around u. When u sincerely examine ur desires, u'll find that u have at least as much, & probably even more desire 2 give of urself as receive. Surely u have yearned 2 b of use, 2 make a difference, 2 express urself. & how would these b possible if not in the service of others? B the best u can b & u make ur world the best it can b. Truly make a positive difference & u'll fulfill YOUR greatest possibilities...from experience..words of Marco

1-4-05

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." - Donald A. Adams

Motivator: Ur perception of urself b-cums reality through the thoughts, decisions & actions of every moment. R u kind? R u loving? R u honest? R u successful? R u wealthy? U r when u truly think u r. Every day a thousand decisions greet u. They overflow with opportunity. They can take u 2 any place imaginable. How do u choose? How do u decide? Who do u think u r? It is revealed in every moment, in every action, in every decision, in every thought & opinion. The great thing is that u can b whomever u decide u will b. It is ur choice. It is ur life. So who do u think YOU r?