I am the new year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
"The New Year" - source unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enjoy your New Year and I have belief in your ability to make those changes that you are searching for. - Joseph Primm
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Not Me But My Attitude
For those wondering - the picture isn't really me, but it reflects my attitude
. Each of us has an inner reflection of who we are. Who do you want to be? How happy in life do you want to be? It starts from within.
"We are happy when for everything inside us there is a corresponding something outside us." ~W.B. Yeats
. Each of us has an inner reflection of who we are. Who do you want to be? How happy in life do you want to be? It starts from within."We are happy when for everything inside us there is a corresponding something outside us." ~W.B. Yeats
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Choices In Response
A full morning of shopping during this holiday season can be enough to test anyone's attitude. The 'sunshine' factor can certainly turn from bright and warm into dark and gloomy. With all of the shoppers and cars on the road, it is a test of will.
I found myself beginning to feel the crush of the holiday rush. Even as I was nearly tripped by a remote control car at the Discovery Store. As I walked on, I actually heard the store clerk start to chuckle. No words of apology and concern to see if I was okay. It was a pure and simple chuckle, a chortle, a snickering of what I thought was the worst kind.
In an instant I was faced with three choices;
1. Continue walking and say nothing.
2. Turn and berate the kid for his insensitivity.
3. Turn and offer my own apology for nearly breaking his merchandise.
Well, I would have continued on without saying anything, sulking in being a klutz and nearly falling. But that giggle just didn't sit well. So already being in a state of edginess from the shopping and I'm certainly not known for any love of shopping, option two was the first one to cross my mind.
As I stopped and spun around...you are free to have slow motion visions from one of your favorite movies if it will help...with a basket of words to say to this person. But as I did it occurred to me that it would not have accomplished anything. I would have been simply frustrated, the kid would have not given it a thought of some older guy berating him.
So I walked back and simply asked if the remote control car was okay. That I wanted to ensure that I had not damaged it. With a smile, it was a way of confronting the situation which did throw the kid a curve. He stuttered a bit trying to come up with words. He said all was okay and then apologized for nearly tripping me.
What effect did this have beyond my little encounter. I'd like to think that the store clerk will think differently and turn my kindness into a lesson for him. It could translate into him being a better person and possibly a better employee at his store. You can do the math for what that could mean for the store. Yet in our bigger world it just makes it better place.
Insignificant some might say, only think it insignificant the next time someone smiles your way and think maybe, just maybe someone else helped put that smile on their face.
I found myself beginning to feel the crush of the holiday rush. Even as I was nearly tripped by a remote control car at the Discovery Store. As I walked on, I actually heard the store clerk start to chuckle. No words of apology and concern to see if I was okay. It was a pure and simple chuckle, a chortle, a snickering of what I thought was the worst kind.
In an instant I was faced with three choices;
1. Continue walking and say nothing.
2. Turn and berate the kid for his insensitivity.
3. Turn and offer my own apology for nearly breaking his merchandise.
Well, I would have continued on without saying anything, sulking in being a klutz and nearly falling. But that giggle just didn't sit well. So already being in a state of edginess from the shopping and I'm certainly not known for any love of shopping, option two was the first one to cross my mind.
As I stopped and spun around...you are free to have slow motion visions from one of your favorite movies if it will help...with a basket of words to say to this person. But as I did it occurred to me that it would not have accomplished anything. I would have been simply frustrated, the kid would have not given it a thought of some older guy berating him.
So I walked back and simply asked if the remote control car was okay. That I wanted to ensure that I had not damaged it. With a smile, it was a way of confronting the situation which did throw the kid a curve. He stuttered a bit trying to come up with words. He said all was okay and then apologized for nearly tripping me.
What effect did this have beyond my little encounter. I'd like to think that the store clerk will think differently and turn my kindness into a lesson for him. It could translate into him being a better person and possibly a better employee at his store. You can do the math for what that could mean for the store. Yet in our bigger world it just makes it better place.
Insignificant some might say, only think it insignificant the next time someone smiles your way and think maybe, just maybe someone else helped put that smile on their face.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Fear Can Be Overcome
"Most people think that courage is the absence of fear. The absence of fear is not courage; the absence of fear is some kind of brain damage. Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of the fear, or in spite of the pain. When you do that, you will find that overcoming that fear will not only make you stronger but will be a big step forward toward maturity." - M. Scott Peck, (Further Along the Road Less Traveled)
Keeping on the subject of fear and attitude, it isn't an easy thing to accomplish. Having the courage to overcome fear is quite possible. For fear is defined as, "...an unpleasant feeling of perceived risk or danger, real or not. Fear also can be described as a feeling of extreme dislike to some conditions/objects, such as: fear of darkness, fear of ghosts, etc. It is one of the basic emotions." (from Wikipedia).
In an online article from "Tell Me How", they indicate the following;
Keeping on the subject of fear and attitude, it isn't an easy thing to accomplish. Having the courage to overcome fear is quite possible. For fear is defined as, "...an unpleasant feeling of perceived risk or danger, real or not. Fear also can be described as a feeling of extreme dislike to some conditions/objects, such as: fear of darkness, fear of ghosts, etc. It is one of the basic emotions." (from Wikipedia).
In an online article from "Tell Me How", they indicate the following;
- One of the most common barriers to success is simply fear of failure, which either stops us doing something, or inhibits our ability to do it as well as we can.
- The key to overcoming fear of failure is simply persistence. By trying and trying and trying again, you cannot fail, as you will always achieve this goals this way.Determination to succeed always conquers fear of failure.
- So many businesses are so close to success, for instance, when the owners fear failure so much that they stop short of developing something that could have been great.
- And so with individuals, we shy away from the challenge due to fear of failure. Commit to meet challenges head on and you will overcome failure, as it will no longer be an option.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Overcoming Fear To Succeed
In respect for my friend in the previous article, I wanted to wait a couple of days before writing another blurb in my little patch of the world wide web. This great thing called the internet has always fascinated me. To see how ones writings can spread so wide. It starts small like a snowflake but grows and gains speed as time goes by. Pretty soon you find that your daily thoughts are out there on display for everyone to read.
Opening one self to this wide spread forum can be a bit intimidating. I've written previously that it takes courage to overcome any fear you have in making that first step. In creating this blog, my fear was in placing my words out for all to read. The fear of opening oneself to criticism or even ridicule can be a great deterrent to accomplishing things.
I've heard it said by various successful people over and over again, "...don't let your fear dictate." My yearning to help others by providing ideas and encouragement made me over come any fear of doing so. I would go so far as to say, "growth in attitude causes you to overcome, in fact demands that you overcome your fears."
Overcome your fears, one by one, step by step...see the change it will make in your life.
Opening one self to this wide spread forum can be a bit intimidating. I've written previously that it takes courage to overcome any fear you have in making that first step. In creating this blog, my fear was in placing my words out for all to read. The fear of opening oneself to criticism or even ridicule can be a great deterrent to accomplishing things.
I've heard it said by various successful people over and over again, "...don't let your fear dictate." My yearning to help others by providing ideas and encouragement made me over come any fear of doing so. I would go so far as to say, "growth in attitude causes you to overcome, in fact demands that you overcome your fears."
Overcome your fears, one by one, step by step...see the change it will make in your life.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Touching Lives To The End
Back in mid-November, a man you may not have known passed away. Dan Thrasher, was a man who lived and touched people in ways I am sure he never imagined. It happened with me and it happened with many other fellow employees within my company and outside in his personal life. In battling cancer, he kept an amazing attitude towards life and those that he came in contact with. One of his many loves in life was that of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A good friend of his arranged to have Harley-Davidson shirts from around the world secretly sent to Dan. It is reported that his eyes lit up every time the FedEx truck pulled up.
I knew Dan only slightly as we had worked on site together on a couple of occassions. But when I heard about this gesture of wonderment for Dan, many of us worked to locate and find shirts from around the world. In doing so, fellow employees from around the world were able to hear of this wonderful story. Each of these people were moved to appreciate more of life and their part in it. Each reinforced for me the goodness in life that each of us possesses. Dan set that in motion without realizing it. I'm sure he knows it now.
In one of my endeavors to find a shirt in Germany, with the best of mapped directions and advice from locals it was an adventure. Finding the local Harley-Davidson store put me in touch with many different people. Asking for directions puts one in contact with people one may otherwise not meet. It showed to me that there is goodness in everyone. It was Dan Thrasher that put this in motion. By being a person that touched one person he touched hundreds or maybe even thousands.
Each of you have that ability as well to touch everyone in your daily life. Dan Thrasher dropped a pebble into the still water. The ripple effect has passed through many of us and it will pass through you. As you go about your job and more importantly your personal life, know that you impact everyone you come in contact with. Allow the ripple to flow beyond to all that you touch.
==================================
If you wish, the family requests that donations
be made in Dan's memory to St. Jude Children's
Hospital in Memphis, TN.
==================================
I knew Dan only slightly as we had worked on site together on a couple of occassions. But when I heard about this gesture of wonderment for Dan, many of us worked to locate and find shirts from around the world. In doing so, fellow employees from around the world were able to hear of this wonderful story. Each of these people were moved to appreciate more of life and their part in it. Each reinforced for me the goodness in life that each of us possesses. Dan set that in motion without realizing it. I'm sure he knows it now.
In one of my endeavors to find a shirt in Germany, with the best of mapped directions and advice from locals it was an adventure. Finding the local Harley-Davidson store put me in touch with many different people. Asking for directions puts one in contact with people one may otherwise not meet. It showed to me that there is goodness in everyone. It was Dan Thrasher that put this in motion. By being a person that touched one person he touched hundreds or maybe even thousands.
Each of you have that ability as well to touch everyone in your daily life. Dan Thrasher dropped a pebble into the still water. The ripple effect has passed through many of us and it will pass through you. As you go about your job and more importantly your personal life, know that you impact everyone you come in contact with. Allow the ripple to flow beyond to all that you touch.
==================================
If you wish, the family requests that donations
be made in Dan's memory to St. Jude Children's
Hospital in Memphis, TN.
==================================
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Forward Movement In Attitude
Not long ago I heard a story of pushing yourself to step out, of going beyond what is within your comfort zone. You make that move forward and you breath a sigh of relief. Then you are asked to step even further.
It is with that first step that many more will follow. Choosing to have a great attitude is a first step. But then I ask that you do more with that attitude. It isn't enough to step forward and declare that a positive attitude will be a driving force in your life. It isn't enough to experience the wonders that come with this new found attitude.
Now comes the next step of using this new attitude to make the world around you better. Remember the pebble in the water article some time ago. You start things in motion and they carry out in waves to others. But be assured that every time you step forward in action to a place you think you should be, more will be expected.
It is with both faith and confidence that you make these moves. It isn't easy knowing that the more you do, the more that will be expected. But with each step it will become easier. Your confidence will increase and faith in yourself will abound. Only thing is...you have to make the choice to move. Expect more each time you move and accept it with a positive heart.
It is with that first step that many more will follow. Choosing to have a great attitude is a first step. But then I ask that you do more with that attitude. It isn't enough to step forward and declare that a positive attitude will be a driving force in your life. It isn't enough to experience the wonders that come with this new found attitude.
Now comes the next step of using this new attitude to make the world around you better. Remember the pebble in the water article some time ago. You start things in motion and they carry out in waves to others. But be assured that every time you step forward in action to a place you think you should be, more will be expected.
It is with both faith and confidence that you make these moves. It isn't easy knowing that the more you do, the more that will be expected. But with each step it will become easier. Your confidence will increase and faith in yourself will abound. Only thing is...you have to make the choice to move. Expect more each time you move and accept it with a positive heart.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Think Of Life And The Good That Could Be
The marking of the 25th Anniversary of John Lennon's death (Thursday 12/08) evokes discussion and wonderment of a man that some adored and others didn't. But I bring up this day as an example of the positive hope someone can share.
As a member of The Beatles he was quite astounding and in his solo career that success was hard to top. But he tried many things to make this world a better place. It sometimes ruffled the feathers of others and at times his actions seemed to contradict himself. But he wrote a song that many are familiar with, IMAGINE.
This song has been labeled naive and too simplistic by its critics. Still others have taken it as a battle cry for a utopian ideal that all should live under. I myself see it as a small way to simply push people to the better good. To 'imagine' that we can bring goodness to the lives of others in the short time we are alive.
Here are the words to this song and see if you can see the hope generated within words.
=================
Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today...
Imagine there's no countries, It isnt hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace...
Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world...
You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one.
=================
For more on John Lennon, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
=================
Just 'imagine' that you can make a difference in this world by the things you do.
As a member of The Beatles he was quite astounding and in his solo career that success was hard to top. But he tried many things to make this world a better place. It sometimes ruffled the feathers of others and at times his actions seemed to contradict himself. But he wrote a song that many are familiar with, IMAGINE.
This song has been labeled naive and too simplistic by its critics. Still others have taken it as a battle cry for a utopian ideal that all should live under. I myself see it as a small way to simply push people to the better good. To 'imagine' that we can bring goodness to the lives of others in the short time we are alive.
Here are the words to this song and see if you can see the hope generated within words.
=================
Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today...
Imagine there's no countries, It isnt hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace...
Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world...
You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one.
=================
For more on John Lennon, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
=================
Just 'imagine' that you can make a difference in this world by the things you do.
Monday, December 05, 2005
If You Can't Be There - Go Online
Sharing a picture of the Roman Coliseum from my visit to Rome recently. Truly a wonder to see.
Continuing To Read And Listen
I've been watching a great program on television, a speaker named Andy Andrews. There are moments and waves of inspiration that effect each of our lives. For me a particularly high spot has come from listening to Mr. Andrews.
I won't say a whole lot about him today, but will do so over the next few days. When I get moved by listening or reading someone...such as I did with Paul McGee and his S.U.M.O book, I have to take a bit of time to collect my thoughts and really let the message soak in.
Said before many times from me and you'll have heard from others, reading and listening to others can have an impact. Keep yourself in a learning mode and I'll try to help by putting some of this great stuff out there for you.
I won't say a whole lot about him today, but will do so over the next few days. When I get moved by listening or reading someone...such as I did with Paul McGee and his S.U.M.O book, I have to take a bit of time to collect my thoughts and really let the message soak in.
Said before many times from me and you'll have heard from others, reading and listening to others can have an impact. Keep yourself in a learning mode and I'll try to help by putting some of this great stuff out there for you.
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