WTC In Memory

The world as we knew it changed on September 11, 2001 - a day that not only changed for Americans but for all people that value life and reason. For a moment in time, people stood still trying to understand what depth of evil could lay in the hearts of a few.

On September 11, 2001 there were 2,749 innocent people that lost their lives. From the World Trade Center to the Pentagon and finally to those brave passengers on Flight 93, people that arose that morning full of life were cut short.

Many around the world experience and continue to experience horrible acts of a despicable nature. Those that do these things will claim it to be in the name of their God or for a belief that they fervently live by. For all that know and live life with the understanding of our fellow man, it is different now.

The evil that lives in those that would choose to destroy others must be understood and put down. A world that changed is one that each of us must work to make better. In small ways, in small steps, all that you do to make it better is an honor to the innocent lives through out history.

Persevere and continue to move forward. Take time today to reflect, to remember and then go and do something good for another person. Live so that the memory of others will go on. For that memory, never forget.

Five Bad Attitudes

With the wrong type of attitude, you can pretty much guarantee non-success in your life. An article by Yvonne Finn discusses five attitudes that will help you avoid being successful. I list them here but encourage you to read the article for her take on each attitude.

1. Be cynical and skeptical of everything and everyone.

2. In Business be quick to jump from one opportunity to the next without giving any one a reasonable amount of time and effort for success.

3. Never take responsibility for your own failures, it is always someone or something outside of your control.

4. Give the impression that you know everything and belittle other people's ideas, opinions and contributions to projects and your life and success.

5. Always take full credit for successful ventures.

I could add commentary to most any of these. But I do believe you will recognize why these are not good attitudes to embrace. Be a person of great attitude and see success come your way.

Setting and Achieving Goals

"Every Goal has a cost." - Dean Sweetman

Many times we go through life looking for that quick fix. The thing that will enable us to easily obtain that which we want. It may be buying a lottery ticket to get that big payout so we can pay off our debt. It may be answering the call to a get rich quick scheme. Only to be thrown into deeper misery when it wasn't what it seemed.

No, every goal in life does have a cost associated with it. I truly doubt that we could call it a goal if it simply came to us. For every goal we set will require some amount of effort and probable change in you. It will require you to be of good character...The type of person that will complete the task when no one else is looking.

Character can not be something that we put on when others are around. Character is not a convenient accessory to parade in public. Character is who you are when no one else is around. What are the traits of good character?

Character is moral strength that is proven to stay true.
It is commitment to your values.
Patient endurance when life is going badly.
Honesty at the price of punishment.
Integrity in secret.
Reliability and predictable behavior.
Stability because consistency has power.
Commitment to do what you said you would do.
Being faithful to the goal even when it hurts.

Your goals in life are attainable with the right attitude, the right level of character and the willingness to see the bigger picture. Be a person of change, be a person that achieves and be a person that impacts others. The goals you set will become reality.

Labor Day - Reflect on the Year

This weekend is a three-day event here in the U.S. because Monday is a holiday. This one for us is called Labor Day and is typically a summer ending holiday which marks the end of summer vacations and the start of the school year.

It is also a good time to renew oneself to complete goals that were set at the beginning of the year. Remember those, the things you wanted to accomplish back on January 1st when best intentions were spilling forth. So how have you done? What was that goal you had in mind?

From a recent article I read, five items were pointed out relative to goals:

(WHAT) A goal should be specfic.
(HOW MUCH) A goal needs to be measurable.
(UNDER PROJECT/OVER PERFORM) A goal should be attainable.
(HOW) A goal should be realistic.
(WHEN) A goal should be tangible.

Evaluate what you have done so far this year and see what you can do in order to accomplish your goals. You will be a far better person for having accomplished a goal both in the eyes of others and more importantly, in you.

“The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get.” - Jim Rohn