Staying Confident Through Troubled Times

Staying in a good frame of mind when things start going bad can be very difficult. It is very easy to slip into a depressing or negative mood. But in order to pull through when things are going bad, you need to maintain a good spirited attitude.

What keeps your confidence to overcome intact has a lot to do with resilience to the circumstance you are under. Resilience is the ability to bounce or spring back into shape - to recover strengths, spirits and good humor when confronted with obstacles.

When you are hit with difficulties, you have to let some of the negatives roll off your back and gain knowledge of what doesn't work so that you can be better prepared for the next step.

Here are three things I've learned to help you maintain confidence and deal with difficult times:

1. Implementation vs Procrastination - So many times people will say, "you can't do that" or "that will never work". There are many people out there whom will offer discouragement instead of encouragement. Try everything, never say never and take encouragement where you can, leave discouragement behind you.

2. Master Mentors - Developing friendships and getting to know people in varied ways gives you a wealth of experience to draw from. These people can teach you valuable lessons without 'sugar coating' the information. Mentors do not necessarily need to be a person; it can be a book or a special quote. Use and reuse those resources as age and experience change over time.

3. Control You Environment - What you think about and who you surround yourself with determine your attitude and confidence more than any other factor. If you constantly hang around negative people, you will inherit those traits. If you hang around positive and successful people, you will inherit those traits as well. I have heard it said, "you don't just pick up on other people's knowledge and experience; you pick up on their energy, too."

Flanders Field

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Today we say thank you to those that have sacrificed their lives and to think of those that have and do serve.

In Flanders Fields -John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

LaPonda - Life's Light

Today we memorialized a wonderful woman by the name of LaPonda Stephens. Cut short from our natural lives at age 46 by cancer, the memory of her wonders will go on forever in our hearts. The goodness and love she shared will flow through her children as they carry on her legacy.

Her message to all given as a gift to us is, "I love you all and I hope the love I had for you was felt... No day is promised to you... If there is someone you don't love, you need to change your ways." A wonderful flower from heaven is what she is and will forever be.

In ending, her husband Bruce wrote a beautiful poem for his wife. If I am able, I will ask him for permission to share it with you. For now, know that the wonders of life come in the form of people like LaPonda. Be like her and shine a light upon others.

Staying Focused In Vegas

Just a quick note at mid-week. I am in Las Vegas at our company's annual technology conference called EMC World. An awful lot of people from around the world in attendance. So I have had a very good opportunity to meet this varied collection of folks.

Staying focused on keeping your spirits alive and positive should be your goal each day. The rest then will come naturally over time. Have a great week everyone.

Optimistic Belief

Titled "One in a sea of many..."

"I'm an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat." -Harold Wilson

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Main Entry: op·ti·mism
Pronunciation: \ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: French optimisme, from Latin optimum, noun, best, from neuter of optimus best; akin to Latin ops power — more at opulent.
Date: 1759
1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world.
2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome.

It seems to be the 'half glass empty or half full' argument when talking about optimism or pessimism. I happen to be more optimistic in most things that I do. Although I wrap it in common sense, knowing when an outcome isn't 'in the cards.' Interestingly enough, being optimistic and not achieving what was first sought has placed me in a position to achieve other unexpected things.

Can being more positive, more optimistic about things impact your life? In an article by Anne Bradley, she states the following the nine benefits.

BENEFITS of OPTIMISM that You Can Have in Your Life

1. Achieve more in any task or goal
2. Higher level of Contentment and Life Satisfaction
3. Better Health
4. More Friends
5. Continued Optimistic Outlook
6. "Life is Good"
7. Feeling of Control over Life
8. Handle Life's Big and Small Problems Better
9. Easier to make decisions without anxiety

Are all of the above guaranteed? Absolutely not, even the pessimistic possibilities in life are not guaranteed to happen to you. So why spend your life worrying about what could go wrong? Mix in the idea that things can go right in your life. Believe in goodness because it happens a lot more then you give it credit for happening.

Mothers Day

Elizabeth Nourse, 1860-1938, artist.

“It's a beautiful thought (Mother's Day), but it's somebody with a hurting conscience that thought of the idea.” -Will Rogers

This Sunday is Mother's Day here in the U.S. Other countries celebrate on various days, but for us, it comes this year on May 11th. A chance to celebrate those which raise and nurture us in life.

A mother mends the scraped knee, consoles you after that first heart break and shares with you the history of your life and those before you. Mothers come in all different shapes, sizes and ages. Yet all come with a very big heart for their children.

Take the opportunity this weekend to visit, call or send a nice card to your mother. Take the opportunity to say thank you and "I love you". Then remember how good it felt and say it more often then just one time a year.

We Overcome Willingly

It was a great weekend as my wife and I went on a Couple's Journey. Sort of a "boot camp, reconnect, push yourself beyond what you think you can accomplish" type of weekend. We might be a little sore physically but mentally it feels great.

On Saturday night, I said to the nearly 40 couples attending that I have a great amount of stories to write. Acts of pushing beyond, stories of overcoming fears and tales of finding out more about each other.

I watched people do extraordinary things, watched my wife do amazing things and even found myself pushing past limits I thought I had. It was a WOW (We Overcome Willingly) type of weekend. When we allow ourselves to willingly push beyond our fear and self-imposed limits, greater things happen.

There will be more stories to tell, but to all that attended, the instructors and my wife; thank you!

“To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence.” -Arthur Schopenhauer

Journey To Find

“When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.” -Orison Swett Marden


When we embark on a new opportunity or change in our life, the path may look dark and lonesome. But it is a path of discovery and the wonders you may find are simply hidden along the way.

This weekend I take a journey with my wife and thirty seven other couples on a trip to find what is hidden. Hidden inside each of us and hidden in our future. I look forward to the journey and hope that you find enjoyment in yours.