Party this New Year's Eve - Just NO PITY PARTIES!!!

As we close in on the merciful ending of this challenging and rough year for many, it is fully appropriate to celebrate it's departure and welcome in a new, promising year!!

What we MUST avoid, however, is hosting any "Pity Parties" this New Year's Eve - or at any given time for that matter!

We have a tendency as humans to focus on the "lack" of what we have to the point of it driving us to depression, unhappiness, and jealousy!

When we take a step back and really look at our Blessings, not only compared to those living in Third World Countries (which is a disparity as wide as 100 oceans) but even with those around us in this country of plenty and wealth - it is STAGGERING!!!

Take a moment and a piece of paper and pencil and just jot down what you perceive as your "blessings"! It should not be difficult because even in the seemingly most dire of times - We are still abundantly Blessed and should FOCUS on these gifts as opposed to all the things WE ARE NOT, or DO NOT HAVE, or WISH WE OWNED, or LOOK LIKE!!

Don't you see that all of these latter thoughts are essentially putting all of your hopes for joy, love, happiness, fulfillment and contentment into a useless and doomed arena of wants and wishes!

Even if you do get some or all of what you think you need to OWN or BECOME, do you really think this will suddenly make you joyous, happy and peaceful???

I can tell you with certainty that this type of strategy is only setting you up for a series of failures and disappointments as what you do get suddenly is replaced by OTHER things you believe will make you happy!!

It is an effort in futility - a cycle of sadness and maniacal behavior- and must be avoided!!

So focus on how lucky you truly are to be healthy, loved, needed, useful, active, --ALIVE! People NEED you - they need your positive and strong influence, kindness, and support!!!

Just because they do not tell you how much you are valued does not mean you are not TREMENDOUSLY impactful in people's lives!

YOU ARE NEEDED!!!

Do not wait until you are on your death bed to discover just HOW BLESSED AND VALUABLE you are in this world!!!

Stay Strong and go out and change people's lives TODAY!!

New Year Approaching!! Discard all Old Negative Thoughts and Habits Now!!

As the end of one if the craziest and most challenging years ever recorded comes to a thankful close, NOW is the time to wipe our slates clean and to begin anew!!

What better time than the present to write off all of the negative thoughts, fears, habits, and worries that we fought in 2008 (and perhaps won some battles against) as we shift our focus and sights on a prosperous, joyous and WONDERFUL 2009!

Clearly, we are bound to face some challenges similar to the ones we faced in 2008! Remember, this battle against adversity, fear and anxiety is inevitable! However, it is not to be feared, or avoided! It is to be welcomed and dispensed of as quickly as possible!!

Half of our real battles are fought NOT in action on the "battle fields" where they ought to be fought, but instead on the battle fields of our minds! And often times we lose the battle BEFORE we even fight it for real!

Our minds allow the NOTION of loss to overwhelm and overrun our spirits until we are cowering and shaking and absolutely paralyzed by FEAR - unable to fight and WIN against this dreaded enemy... Our own DOUBT!!!!

Resolve in 2009 to identify and FIGHT OFF this negative notion as it occurs and make a point to actually stare down and face your fears exactly where FEAR hates to be - in the light of the TRUTH!!!

It can be done - easily in fact - as long as we prepare ourselves to know when this negative thought compounding is actually occurring - AND by taking the positive, confident, mental action to ward it off ahead of time!!

2009 can be whatever you want it to be - but it cannot become the Truth if you let FEAR and DOUBT enter the plans!

So what about what others think!??

So what if you Fail!?

So what if you are embarrassed!?

So what if the "old' you disappears and people who enjoyed the "WEAK" you of old do not like the new, STRONG, CONFIDENT YOU!?

Who are you answering to anyway - other people? Society? Your high school "friends"? Your parents????

Do you enjoy how you feel when you wake up in the morning or when you lay your head on your pillow at night??

Do you want to continue in such a manner and state the rest of your life?

Do you honestly believe that "someone else" is going to rescue you from all of this??

Do you not realize that all the power you have and strength you need has been provided to you already - and is simply WAITING for you to decide to use it as it was intended?

YOU..and only YOU - through your faith and belief in God and in the Truth - can change your life - TODAY!!!

What are you waiting for anyway??

Stay Strong - Happy New Year and Happy "New" YOU -- TODAY!!!

I, for one, cannot wait to meet YOU!

If not for you - Do it FOR YOUR BROTHERS....

Very intertesting article on moods and the effect they have on others around you. So many times we are unaware of how are own mood, attitude, and feelings truly have an impact on someone else's day! Remember what we always speak of - your attitude and moods are contagious which means not only can you change someone else's day with a smile - but your day can be changed by letting someone else's positive attitude take over your feelings!

The point keeps being reinforced -- Happiness is within our control!!

Stay Strong!

Your happiness could be contagious

Study shows friends and even strangers benefit from your cheery mood
By Melissa Dahl
Health writer
msnbc.com

Feeling inexplicably cheery today? Thank your friends. And your friends’ friends. And your friends’ friends’ friends.

New research shows that happiness isn’t just an individual phenomenon; we can catch happiness from friends and family members like an emotional virus. When just one person in a group becomes happy, researchers were able to measure a three-degree spread of that person’s cheer. In other words, our moods can brighten thanks to someone we haven’t even met.

“Especially in the United States, we’re very used to thinking of ourselves as rugged individuals. But even very small things that happen to us have big impacts on dozens and hundreds of other people,” says James Fowler, a University of California, San Diego, political scientist, who co-authored the study with Harvard University medical sociologist Nicholas Christakis. “The things that we do and the things that we feel are going to reverberate throughout our social network.”

On average, every happy person in your social network increases your own chance of cheer by 9 percent — and the effects of catching someone else’s happiness lasts up to one year. The study, which looked at nearly 5,000 individuals over 20 years, was published online Thursday in the British Medical Journal.

Fowler and Christakis were able to map the social networks of 4,739 individuals with data from the Framingham Heart Study, an ongoing cardiovascular study. Participants in that study listed contact information for their closest friends, family members and neighbors, connecting the pair of researchers to more than 50,000 social ties. Fowler and Christakis have used that data set for similar studies published in the last two years that showed how obesity and smoking cessation can spread throughout a social network. The researchers used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Index — a standard set of questions psychologists use to measure happiness — to analyze the cheeriness of the study participants.

They found that when someone gets happy, that person’s friend experiences a 25 percent increased chance of becoming happy. A friend of that friend experiences a nearly 10 percent chance of increased happiness, and a friend of that friend has a 5.6 percent increased chance of happiness.

That means a stranger’s good mood can do more to lift your spirits than a $5,000 raise, which only increased happiness 2 percent, Fowler and Christakis found.

“Happiness is a social emotion. It's an emotion that we derive from social events, and very typically and it becomes important for cementing the social connections we have with others,” says Jack Dovidio, a Yale University social psychologist who was not involved in the study.

“Happiness is not simply about me.”

What’s more, all these happy people could be helping to keep each other healthy. Several recent medical studies have linked happiness and health, including a 2006 Carnegie Mellon University study that found buoyant personality types catch fewer colds than downers.

And a 2001 University of Kentucky at Lexington study used the handwritten autobiographies of 180 Catholic nuns to judge the effect of happiness on longevity: The nuns who used more positive words to describe their lives lived about 10 years longer than those who used more negative words to describe their lives.

“It does appear possibly to be a causal affect — that being happier actually makes you healthier,” Fowler says.

But it seems you can’t catch happiness over the phone. Fowler and Christakis found that the increase in happiness only affects friends who live within a mile away from each other.

“For emotions, it appears that distance is really important,” Fowler says. “Friends who are close have an affect; friends who are far away don’t. The less you’re in contact with somebody the less likely you are to catch their happiness.”

The one-mile finding in the study is sure to sound odd to close friends who may live across town from each other. But Fowler says the key seems to be in how frequently you see your friends and those living closest saw each other the most often. (He says when they looked at the effect of happiness on friends who lived more than a mile apart, the results were too inconsistent to be anything more than chance.)

Sadness isn't as catching

On the flip side, if you’re feeling blue, you’ve only yourself to blame. Sadness doesn’t infect a social group as reliably happiness does, researchers found. Within some friendship networks, sadness had a significant effect on the members of the group, but on others, the effect was very small.


“With sadness, rather than pulling you in to your social network you often push people away,” says Emory University psychologist Nadine Kaslow, who wasn’t involved in this study. “Even though we know social support is really good for us when we’re sad, when we need it the most, we tend to push people away.” It might be a matter of private, personal emotions versus those that are meant to be shared. Anger, for example, might be another outward emotion that would spread within a group the same way happiness does, suggests Dovidio.


“When we are close to somebody, we actually have kind of a merging of our self image,” Dovidio says. And an infectious case of cheer can help cement connections within a group of friends, he adds, because it can re-affirm how close those relationships are.

“People often get a sense of happiness, even though they don't know where it comes from; it's probably very likely to come from the happiness of other people,” Dovidio says. “If I can't locate where my happiness came from it's likely that it came from another person.”

Once Fowler realized how far-reaching his own good cheer actually is, he has begun to make some changes to ensure he’s in a chipper mood more often. Lately, in the evenings on the drive home from work, just before pulling up to his house, he turns on a tune that’s almost too happy: Hoku’s “Perfect Day.” By the time he gets home, he has a giddy, goofy mood to match the pop song, and he hopes that his happiness will rub off on his two boys, 8-year-old Lucas and 6-year-old Jay.

“I’m not just going to make my sons happy — I could potentially make my sons’ friends happy,” Fowler says. “These little things I thought I was doing for myself turn out to be for hundreds of people.”

"Foundation Build in progress"

I do not profess to be a "handy" person around the house, nor am I well versed on things related to "building", "construction" or "engineering".



I do, however, fully understand the critical importance to building a STRONG FOUNDATION when building any freestanding structure.



It does not matter how strong, fortified, well built, or well structured a building may be - without the benefit of a strong and inpenetrable foundation, your structure will always be vulnerable to external forces and time!



So it is with our Spirit and our Soul! The key to a happy, joyous and Peaceful life is to build and maintain a strong and inpenetrable FOUNDATION of Belief and Faith!!



Unlike a physical building, Our Foundation has to be tended to and built up "multiple times a day" - consistently and continually reinforcing the strength and depth of the base!!



I am sure that this concept is easy to grasp and most people will not argue with it as a fact.



The pressing question instead is:



"How do I build and maintain this strong core Foundation?"



Well the answer is we have to use our hourly thoughts and "MAITH"s (Mental Ace in the Hole) ALL DAY LONG to push out any prior negative beliefs, replacing them with positive, uplifting, and Strong Beliefs and thoughts!!



Every day you can do this exercise, you will re-fortify and strengthen your core soul and spirit - enabling you to withstand and repel torrents of negativity, worry, anxiety and FEAR!!!



Like a beach home that commonly sees hurricane activity, our spirit and soul must be built up, overly fortified, and great efforts taken in anticipation of future fierce and dangerous forces that we may encounter in our quest for Peace and Joy!



Eventually - via DAILY mental and repetitive exercises - we will enjoy an inpenetrable Foundation and an ever strengthened soul - able to withstand ANY forces or situations we may encounter in our daily lives!



Imagine how wonderful that will feel!!



It is yours if you want it!!!!



Go and Build It Today!!!!



Stay Strong!!





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Prayers are WORKING!! Thank you! More Needed!

Thank you for all your Prayers - they are already Working for Pepe!!

Please keep 'em coming for all of our recipients!

>>>>>>>>>>>

Subject: Prayer result update

Much has been said about Miracle.
Much has been said about prayer.
Fact is in the pudding!
As I went out to my new Spiritual"kabalah-man" DFresh from Melrose, Ma(originally) and asked for his congregational prayers for our dear Pepe

Low and behold-I'm happy to report that good old Pep is much better than 48 hr. ago-

No he's not out of the woods, but from what I hear today Mem was very pleased to see Pep's alertness when she entered his room today.

When his daughter mentioned A & Cork- again his spirit kicked-up.

Keep the prayers rolling for strength & healing.

In my selfish request for others to pray for a loved one-It has been brought to my attention that others too could use prayers for strength & healing.

I'm a firm believer that God acts on #'s, please remember when we ask for his help, we make time to pray not only for the one closest to us, but for the other one or two who are close to a friend, or friend of a friend.

- Teach U

More prayers needed!!

Thank you all for your prayers!!! They will work miracles!!

I ask you now to continue praying for Pepe, but also for 2 other family members in need of it today!!!

All three of these great people need our strength and prayers of Faith today and going forward!!

Thank you all... Stay Strong!!

DF
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Asking for your Prayers for Strength!!

We ask all of you to kindly pray for my Sister-in-Law's Dad, Pepe, who is in great need of strength and health as he fights his battle for recovery!

Please include him in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery, as well as his entire family for strength, courage and FAITH during this challenging period!

We are with you, Pepe! Stay Strong!

Thank you, All --

Sustaining Love

Yet again we bring you an exercise in Peace and Security from our friends at "A Course in Miracles".

But first I will preface their wisdom with this thought: Remember as a child when we would pretend to be sick for school and inevitably the longer we pretended, the more we felt truly sick?

Well it is true for anything we TELL OUR MINDS!!

Think about it!!!

The problem is that we have already trained our minds to believe some false realities and we have convinvced ourselves of certain "truths" that are actually "illusions".

We hold the power in our hearts and minds to lead the life we choose - to be joyous, peaceful, and secure!

But only if we accept the FACT that we create our own reality tbrough our thought patterns and belief windows!!!

Act and pretend to be HAPPY - you will be amazed how quickly your mind will pick up on that feeling and make it a REALITY!! A TRUTH!!

Try it.. Please continue reading below..

>>>>>>>>>>

I am Sustained by the Love of God

Here is the answer to every problem that will confront you, today, tomorrow, and throughout time.

In this world, you believe you are sustained by EVERYTHING BUT GOD.

Your faith is placed in the most trivial and insane symbols; pills, money, "protective" clothing, influence, prestige, being liked, knowing the "right" people, and an endless list of forms of nothingness that you endow with magical powers.

All of these things are your replacement for the Love of God. All of these things are cherished to insure a body identification. They are songs of praise to the Ego.

Do not put your Faith in the worthless. It will NOT sustain you.

Only the Love of God will protect you in all circumstances. It will lift you out of every trial, and raise you high above all the perceived dangers in this world into a climate of perfect peace and safety.

It will transport you into a state of mind that NOTHING can threaten, NOTHING can disturb, and where nothing can intrude upon the eternal calm of the Son of God.

Put not your Faith in illusions. They will fail you. Put all of your faith in the Love of God within you; eternal, changeless and forever unfailing.

THIS is the answer to whatever confronts you today!

Through the Love of God within you, you can resolve all seeming difficulties without effort and in sure confidence.

Tell yourself this often today!

It is a Declaration of Release from the belief in idols. It is the acknowledgement of the TRUTH about yourself!
.
For ten minutes today, twice, once in morning and once in the evening, let the idea for today sink into your consciousness.

Think about it, repeat it, let related thoughts come to help you recognize it's Truth, and allow PEACE to flow over you like a blanket of surety and protection.

Let no idle or foolish thoughts enter to disturb your holy mind. Such is the Kingdom of Heaven and such is the resting place where your Father has placed you.

Tell yourself this often today!

Stay Strong!

News Flash: There is Nothing to Fear!!

This also comes from our friends at "A Course in Miracles"... Enjoy and take it to heart - because it WILL change your life if you allow it to!!

The choice is all yours!

>>>>>>>>>>>

There is Nothing to Fear

Today's idea simply states a fact. It is not a fact to those who believe in illusions, but illusions are not facts.

In Truth there is nothing to fear. It is very easy to recognize this. But it is very difficult to recognize this for those who WANT illusions to be true.

Today's exercise is to repeat the idea as often as possible.

You can use it with your eyes open at any time and in ANY situation.

However, it is highly recommended that you take a minute or so whenever possible to close your eyes and repeat the idea SLOWLY to yourself.

It is particularly important that you use the idea immediately should ANYTHING disturb your peace of mind.
The mere presence of FEAR is a certain and sure sign that you are trusting in your own strength!!

The awareness that there is nothing to fear shows that somewhere in your mind, though not necessarily in a place that you recognize as yet, you have REMEMBERED GOD and let HIS strength take the place of your weakness.

The very instant you are willing to do this, there indeed IS NOTHING TO FEAR.

Stay Strong!!! Believe!!


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God is the Strength in which I Trust!

This is from our friends at "A Course in Miracles". It takes an open mind to understand and accept the Power behind it's meaning. God can mean so much to so many different people, but if it is more palatable for you to replace the word "God" with Universe, Divine Being, etc -according to your own beliefs - in order to Believe, then by all means please do.

For me the word God rings true in this exercise. It is the ultimate MAITH to call upon in times of weakness, fear, doubt, despair and concern.

And if you truly BELIEVE what it is saying, there is no STRENGTH more powerful or more apt to lead you to Peace and Joy than this one!

Open your mind -- Give it a try - what do you have to lose?

>>>>>>>>>

God is the Strength in which I Trust!

If you are trusting in your own strength, you have every reason to feel apprehensive, fearful, and anxious!

What can you predict or control?
What is there in you that can be counted on? What would give you the ability to be aware of all the facets of any problem, and to resolve them in such a way that ONLY good can come from it?

What is in you that gives you the recognition of the right solution, and the GUARANTEE that it will be accomplished?

Of yourself you can do none of these things. To believe that you can is to put your trust where your trust is unwarranted, and to JUSTIFY fear, anger, depression, anxiety and sorrow.

Who can put his faith in weakness and feel safe?

Yet who can put his faith in Strength and feel WEAK?

God is your safety in every circumstance. His voice speaks for Him in all situations and in every aspect of all situations, TELLING you what to do to call upon His Strength and His Protection!

There are no exceptions because God has no exceptions. And the Voice which speaks for him thinks as He does.

Today we will try to reach past your own weakness to the Source of Real Strength!

Close your eyes and repeat the idea of the day. Then spend a minute or two searching for situations in your life which you have invested with FEAR, dismissing each one by telling yourself:

"God is the Strength in which I Trust",

Now try to slip past all concerns related to your own sense of inadequacy.

It is obvious that any situation that causes you concern is associated with feelings of inadequacy, or else you would believe that you could deal with the situation successfully.

It is not by trusting yourself that you will gain confidence.

But the Strength of God in you is sucessful in all things.

The recognition of your own frailty is a necessary step in the correction of your errors and misconceptions, but it is hardly a sufficient one in giving you the confidence you NEED, and to which you are ENTITLED.

You must also gain in awareness that confidence in your REAL STRENGTH is fully justified in all respects and in EVERY circumstance.

Try to use this exercise to really reach down into your mind to a place of real SAFETY. You will recognize that you have reached it if you feel a sense of deep PEACE, even if only for a brief instant.

Let go all the trivial things and concerns that churn and bubble on the surface of your mind, and reach down below them to the Kingdom of Heaven.

There IS a place within you now where there is Perfect Peace.

There is a place within you where NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

There is a place inside you where the STRENGTH of GOD abides.

During the day, repeat the idea often.

Use it as your answer to any disturbance.

Remember Peace is your RIGHT because you are giving your Trust to the STRENGTH of God!

Stay Strong!!!

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Ok - you can Say "Die" - but now what do you do?

Alright - Unfortunately I am forced to write on the other side of "Never Say Die" as the Boston Red Sox fell short of defending their 2007 World Series Champion Title in a Game 7 elimination loss to the seemingly destined Tamba Bay Devil Rays last night.

Thursday night we contemplated the "Never Say Die" Spirit and how we can never quit, never give up, keep battling until the fight is over.

Well, for the Red Sox Nation - it is over for 2008!

So now what?

Well, for me this period of disappointment that follows a hard-fought battle can go either way.

We can let the loss and sting of defeat linger and fester for days, weeks, even years if we let it.
We can get angry and hardened and bitter and as humans we are prone to allowing that to occur (if you are Irish on top of that, fugggedaboutit...) in perpetuity unless we consciously step in and squelch that pattern!

OR...

Or we can accept the defeat, process the disappointment and MOVE ON! Take open and honest evaluation of the situation. It was a great season, filled with excitement, courage, grit, and overcoming of many injuries and obstacles (I could write several pieces on that topic with this team) and although it is a disappointing ending, it is important to focus on the positives with any situation such as this one!

I am proud of their efforts, their accomplishments, and look forward to next year with HOPE and FAITH and BELIEF!

See - it ALL comes down to that triumvirate - Hope, Faith and Belief no matter whether you are riding high on the wave, or under the crush of waves trying to stay alfoat!

Therefore, the same trifecta that delivers us peace and joy is utilized and employed in times of Triumph, like Thursday night - or in times of Defeat, like last night! It does not matter the circumstances - they hold true through EVERYTHING and we must RELY on them!

Of course, I am using baseball merely as a parable to make my point clear, timely, and poignant but this point is really most applicable to our everyday lives!

We all have battles, challenges, obstacles and events that end in either Triumph or Defeat every day -- if we learn to react to both EQUALLY and calling on that Triumvirate of Hope, Faith and Belief no matter, we will never truly feel the sting of disappointment again!

Here is to looking forward to 2009 for Red Sox Nation -- and here is to today being the beginning of our "New" season - Starting NOW!!

Stay Strong!

Never.. Say... Die!!!

OK - I will try and keep this as "Baseball Team" agnostic as possible out of respect for our "Non-Sawx" readership.... But how about that game last night??!!! Wow

For those of you interested in reading about the exciting, amazing and glorious details of last night"s stunning Red Sox come-from-behind victory against the Rays to avoid elimination from the post-season, you can click here and then continue back to read more here on the lesson from last night's event..

www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/

Ok - Life events continue to scream valuable lessons to us and we are remiss if we do not pick up on them and indoctrinate them into our lives!

Facing severe and shockingly painful disappointment, backed against a cliff and facing an abyss below, having been dominated, beat up, embarrassed, controlled, and nothing you do or try has seemed to work to stop the beating and depair, seemingly out of bullets, arrows, rocks, fist power, with All Hope essentially lost ---SOMEHOW, with no time left before the world watches you plummet into the awaiting abyss, YOU FIND A WAY TO SAVE YOURSELF!!

That is what we witnessed last night in pure dramatic fashion!!! And it was AMAZING and UPLIFTING!!

Never say die! Never quit! As bad as it looks, NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

We have heard all the cliches before and they all seem to be made of fairy tales - but last night demonstrated that no matter how bad things get - NEVER STOP BELIEVING - NEVER STOP HOPING for better times, results, outcomes!!

Because sometimes when you least expect it - A force impossible to comprehend can arrive and turn a HOPE into a REALITY!

But only if you are still in there fighting and battling and Believing!!! You have to stay in the game and NOT LET UP!

Now, last night was just a baseball game and in reality the worst outcome there would have been an early vacation for the Red Sox - not exactly life altering in the grand scheme of things!

However, the message from that drama last night is the same for all of us who are battling depression, disease, hopelessness, fear, anxiety, loss, lack of hope, love or joy!

NEVER! SAY! DIE!!! It is not over until it is over -- so keep swinging and believing and YOU WILL BE DELIVERED!!

You will be amazed how often you pull through to the positive outcome when you train your mind to BELIEVE, to embrace HOPE and POSITIVE thoughts in the face of loss and despair!!

Stay Strong and NEVER SAY DIE!!!!

Go Sawx. ( Sorry Robert et al..... ;)

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Get "Young" Again!!

Ok - so maybe my being over-tired and compensating with too much caffeine has led me to writing this "Two-fer" Wednesday offering - but nonetheless I must do this as the moment moves me!

As I walked back to my office with my 11th cup of java (not really) I passed by a New York City rite of Fall - the Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center! It is such a great venue and it really made me realize a few things about joy and peace!

Think back to your childhood right now! Remember those feelings of joy, carelessness, fun, safety and security?

What was it that allowed us to be that way as children (besides the lack of mortgage, responsibility, our own children, debt, conscience, etc - lol)??

For me it was the freedom and "new"-ness of everything!

Remember?

Everything we did seemed exciting, brand new, full of hope and wonder, and awe and fun!!

From going to High School, to driving a car, first boy/girlfriends, going away to college, first jobs, moving away to a new place, first appartment..they all held the promise of a new opportunity to live your life, meet new people, be exposed to new experiences, and to grow as a person!

We as humans are Growth Seeking beings - we MUST seek to grow all the time or else we stagnate and grow frustrated, lazy, depressed and go against our very nature.

We MUST get back to that "child-like" growth and newness that brought us such joy! We have to re-capture that spirit of finding NEW OPPORTUNITIES by constantly challenging ourselves, trying new hobbies, testing our limits, pushing that envelope and opening yourself up to all this world offers us - both the good and the bad as well. Afterall, a major part of living fully is the trials and challenges we often face - but then overcome!!!

So endeavor to regain that freedom we had as young people (despite the fact that as adults we are often saddled with baggage, worries, and "grown-up' responsibilities that can age us quickly if we let them) - take that trip, ask that person what you want to ask them, join a new team sport, take a class, go back to school, run a marathon, raise money to fight a disease - volunteer - MEET new people!

Do not listen to conventional wisdom as those conventional people are generally miserable as a rule!

Grow and keep growing - no matter what shape or form that growth might come in -- it does not matter!

Set goals in all aspects of your life and track them closely!!!

The effort alone can change your life and outlook quickly and effectively!!

Stay Strong... And make mine a Decaf!!

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Tough Love

Ok - the time for Tough Love has arrived! No more coddling and holding back!!

Do you really believe that you DO NOT hold the key and all the POWER in your own happiness and peace?

SERIOUSLY??

Are you telling me that YOUR happiness and joy and peace is ONLY derived by someone else?? Or some material possession? Or someone's expectations of you??

You cannot really believe that - can you?

Within you - not outside, not externally - YOU have the POWER and ABILITY to change your mood, change your outlook, change your habits, change your LIFE!

No purchase necessary - no pre-requisite trainings or qualifiers - NOTHING but a STRONG and PERSISTENT adherence to your belief system!!!

What do you BELIEVE you are here to do?

Get a piece of paper and write it down right now!!

Now!!! (Lol - I like this tough love thing...)

If you cannot come up with an answer to write down you have just discovered a major part of the reason you are not content!!

If you have no answer then CREATE one based on what you WANT to be here to do in this short life!!

Think about it - WRITE IT DOWN!!

I cannot make you happy - nor can a new house, stereo, partner, car, etc...

ONLY YOU have the lever to sustain your happiness - ONLY you and your MIND can change your so-called lot in life!

For me it comes down to quiet reflection and repetition of specific mantras and MAITHs - all through the day - upon awakening and before hitting the pillow....

Think about it - we are creatures of habit and our minds are the most POWERFUL tool ever created!!! It can keep you miserable or take you to unknown heights of joy and euphoria!! Or just plain Peace! Whatever you like!!

I always thought the Human Mind ought to come with a Warning Label - "Do not operate under the influence of Negative moods!!!"

The mind will do WHATEVER you tell it to -so when you live in FEAR, Gloom, anxiety and negative stress, your mind will reinforce those feelings and moods and "compound" thoughts until you are out on the ledge of your building!!!

It does not have to be that way!

I tell my children, when they are fearful, nervous, or in need of Strength to repeat the following several times:

"God goes with me wherever I go"

Repeat it over and over and believe what it says - which is No Matter your trials, situation, troubles and worries, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!!

The Source of Joy and Peace is always next to you no matter what or where you go!!!

What an overwhelming feeling of peace, comfort, and security this creates when you train your mind to accept this belief!!!!

Try it - it works!!! But you MUST FREE your mind to get to that point!!!

Stay Strong and Take Control of your Destiny, your moods, your present and your Future!!

You have the Power but believe someone else or something else does!!

Change that now!!! It is as easy as changing your mind!

Go Get 'em!!


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Courage to Start Anew

As we enjoy and reflect upon the meaning of today's Columbus Day Holiday in the US, it is interesting to extract the lessons we can learn and utilize from that courageous explorer.

Imagine the prospect facing Columbus as he first embarked on his mission to find the New World way back in 1492. Leaving behind all he knew and against the advice, warnings, and nay-sayers predictions of doom for him and his equally courageous crews, Columbus soldiered on with a drive and passion that made his life altering discovery possible!

Imagine, not only were there the dangers and fears of the "unknown" world facing them, but many believed the world was "still flat" and that the ships would simply drop off the cliff of the world into oblivion!

Nonetheless, they undertook this mission and endured horrific and shockingly painful conditions, situations, and bleak, despair-filled visions of their future only to make, in hindsight, one of the greatest discoveries in the history of the World!

How many times do you think they WANTED to turn back, give up, concede defeat and turn heel to head back to the safety and comfort of the world they knew??

How many days did they look over their bow and hope, pray, and sometimes actually think that they saw land???? Only to be severely and punishingly disappointed every time?

Probably every day for many months which is a severe trial on the mind and soul and the fact that they persevered and succeeded is incredulous and inspirational!

How many of us have been in that same exact predicament? Hoping and wanting and wishing for something to happen, only to have our spirits crushed and end up disappointed? All of us has had those moments and some of us are going through these feelings currently!

Well - what are our choices in the face of our own "endless ocean" in front of us with no land in sight?

That is easy - We have 2 choices!!

1 We simply quit! We call it a day - was a good effort, but life's victories are not for me - I do not have it in me to be successful - everyone else
Is better suited than me to be happy, successful, etc. I am going back in my hole and hope that things get better someday. We roll over and weakly give into our fears and live our lives without passion or joy.

2. We rely on our FAITH that staying in the game, believing in a Higher Power who guides us, doing the right thing with other people's happiness in mind, WE WILL PREVAIL!!

If you believe that others were put on this earth with better this, better that, etc than you than you are discounting your own worth and prospects!

No one is going to do it for you - and you possess the POWER to change your life NOW!! TODAY!!!

The Power of your Mind is limitless - the only challenge for you is BELIEVING it!!!

So today remember Columbus - you possess the same vision, ambition, passion, courage, and PERSEVERANCE as he did back in 1492!!

Now go and "discover" the Joy and Happiness and Peace that are yours to enjoy!!

Stay Strong!!

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What now?

Unless you have been living in a bunker or under a rock (which some pundits are actually advocating) the past few weeks, it is no surprise to you that we find ourselves in unprecedented times of crisis, fear, panic and despair.

This market "crash" has served as an equalizer in our society in that I do not know of one person -not a one - who has not already felt the impact of this situation!

Usually you will know some people who are affected by these type of markets, but I have never witnessed such a period of indiscriminate and complete hurting.

Everyone you encounter during your day is HURTING in some fashion or manner- and NEEDS your support, love, encouragement, words of belief and hope, and your love! They need to know EVERYTHING will be OK!

And guess what - it WILL BE OK!!

Talk about Negative Thought Compounding!! This financial crisis is the Textbook example of that concept!!

If we allow it, this crisis and the negativity that accompanies it will completely and totally overwhelm and envelop your entire mind and soul!!

Do not let this occur!! FIGHT IT!!

Stop listening to the pundits and turn off the TV! Go exercise, spend time with your family, friends - be there for others in need! Just being in the room for them can be enough to help boost their hopes and mood!

Take that action - do not bury your head in the sand and run!!

YOU be the one to stand up - lead by example - and Help your friends and family!!

This is bad - no question! But it is NOT the end of the world and YOU and I - all of us - will come through this!!

Has this crisis changed things dramatically? ABSOLUTELY! If it has exemplified one thing we have taught here many times it is THAT EVERYTHING PASSES! People who were riding high from the excesses of the past 10 years have now been severely damaged and are hurting. They need you now more than ever and it is probably even more painful for them! But we all need each other regardless of our situations!

Fear is a powerful and paralyzing emotion and it feeds on negative compounding - But it cannot BEAT us if we confront it and FOCUS on the fact that FEAR is man-made and can be eradicated with practice!!

Fear does not own you unless you allow it to do so!

So take a deep breath, relax, confide in your friends and family, seek support from loved ones, and most importantly remember THAT THIS TOO SHALL PASS and YOU will be OK!!

I cannot say it enough!!!

Stay Strong - seek out those in need of comforting and love - and BE THERE for all who need it.

The World is looking to YOU to lead by example - show them the way to Peace and Joy!!!

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A Message from Teach U...

Stay Strong

Today marks the day where tomorrow begins. The strength we- that's correct- we- It's a team effort, need all spokes to run smoothly.

The strength we exhibit today in the midst of financial uncertainty, personal doubt, health concerns, spiritual void, should lead us right to our MAITH. Put todays thoughts into action so tomorrow will be better than yesterday. We control today!

But for tomorrow to be better-we need you to put that brain to use and act on what "she" tells ya!

Good luck, get all involved and "think" positive- Why- because I/We are men/women of the ranks and are going to stay in the ranks- You know why- because we have the drive, the confidence and the determination to get this job done"

--Teach U

Dream Anything...

This is a piece written by an artist friend of mine, Kristin Osterman. Visit and view her fantastic works at www.ostermanartworks.com!

Dream Anything

by: Kristin Osterman, Portrait Artist

I can dream anything, but it is perseverance
and desire that attains goals.

I am willing to go the distance emotionally, spiritually and physically
to become not good, but great.

It is easy to wake up and go through the motions of the day unenthused.

It is difficult to wake up and decide today I will be different.

Different than yesterday,
and better for tomorrow.

I will push the limits of my mind and body
to achieve strength I never had before.

I will test my own limitations
to what I thought I was.

I will believe enough in myself
to make change.

I will not succumb to others doubts
or to my own.

I will make daily goals for myself, and not only reach them
I will exceed them.

I will dedicate myself.

I will not settle.

I will have courage on the days
I am tired and worn.

I will not give in.

I will not be weak.

I embrace challenge, I welcome obstacles,
because when I give my best,
I can not fail.

I will be all I have dreamed.

>>> Stay Strong!!

Freedom

Imagine how great it will feel - or for some of you does feel already- to wake up on a day like today and not be encumbered by the worries and stresses of the coming day-week-month!

Imagine the freedom you will feel when that first negative thought creeps into your mind - say at about 5:10 - 5:30 am and you REPEL it as if it were a fly buzzing about harmlessly.

As if it did not exist! You feel it for a second and the next instant it is sent buzzing away somewhere else!

YOU can do this and experience that freedom every single day if you practice and believe in a few critical points:

1. Remember that everything passes! I am beating a dead horse here but it is so true and so important to constantly remind yourself of this fact!!! So why are you letting this worry or that concern drag you sown, weaken you? Is not today a new day and wide open to all the possibilities in the World? Cannot you take an action today that will forever change your path and direction? Or strengthen your current tack and path? But remember this well -- 100 years from now no one is going to care about these issues that are killing your creativity and diminishing your short time here on this earth!

2. Faith is all the matters!! Hate to quote George Michael here but "You gotta have Faith, Faith, Faith!" I don't care what it is that you believe in - what you put your faith in - as long as it is positive, it is real to you, and it focuses on the present and future!! Forget the past!! Let the past lie where it is! It is OVER! Faith is the belief that no matter your challenges or struggles - YOU KNOW in your heart that EVERYTHING will be OK and that you are being looked after! Believe that - and nothing is impossible!!

So today, when you are feeling those negative thoughts surrounding you - push them out immediately- use your MAITH to replace them - and shift your focus to the next great thing in store for you!! Take action -even if you do not immediately see the correlation or the possible outcome - simply have FAITH and BELIEVE that it is the right path!!

Just Do it!!! Swoooosh.....

Because if followed with confidence, faith, and love -- it always is the right path!

Stay Strong and have a Great
-- FREE - Week!!

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Pray for the Victims of Hurricane IKE in Texas - Pictures tell the tragic story below link

Truly devastating scenes at below link- Hard to believe!

God Bless and Stay Strong!

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html

Sleep Well....

It is simply fascinating to witness the so-called 'Crisis on Wall Street" play out right in front of our eyes! Fascinating and scary at the same time!

As we have written about several times since the inception of this blog, these recent events underscore the NEED to RESIST the tendency to let negative thoughts and worries overwhelm us!

Indeed, there are major problems and serious issues coming to light as a result of a long period of greed, lack of oversight, too easy access to credit, and the belief that this was the New World Order! Money for Nothing as Dire Straits so eloquently put it in the 80's.

However, we must use our MAITHs (Mental Aces in the Hole) to thwart the urge to panic, to only see doomsday scenarios, and to let fear, and anxiety, and despair engulf your soul!

It is a bad situation we are in - but it will pass and you will be ok and the world will continue on! All you need to know this is a history book!

We will survive (now I am quoting Gloria Gaynor?? Stop the madness! Lol) this and all future crisis if we use our MAITHs, realize that everything passes and everything works out!!!!

You cannot just bury your head in the sand - but you can combat the negative thought compounding if you have the Faith and Strength to do so!

Remember these lessons we learned here together and you will have many more restful nights of sleep ahead!!

Stay Strong!!!


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Shifting Sands

As we continue to ride out this unprecedented and catastrophic period of financial turmoil in the Global Financial Markets, it is difficult but necessary to step back and put things in proper perspective.


This situation is frightening, confusing, downright terrifying to many who have a front seat to this mess, and it truly highlights a point we have been strong on promoting on this site. - THIS TOO SHALL PASS!


A few things are certain - the financial landscape, as many of us have known it to date, has been dramatically and totally altered forever. We are witnesses to an amazing transformation that happens maybe once a century!


The "reality" we have all come to believe and depend upon is rapidly vanishing before our eyes and it is hard to comprehend.


This "world" has served as a safety blanket to all of us and we have come to accept that this was the way the world is supposed to be!


Well, guess what - This too has passed! For better or worse, this too is passing!


The uncertainty of the future can be terrifying for sure, but we all have to BELIEVE that EVERYTHING WILL work out - as it always does!


Change is sometimes a good thing and we are better off if we EMBRACE change with FAITH, and HOPE and CONFIDENCE that there is a better tomorrow ahead, a higher power guiding us to happiness, peace of mind, joy and safety, and that NO MATTER where we stand in this mess, THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!


Go forward with faith and hope and confidence that no matter what is thrown at us, WE CAN HANDLE IT! It may seem like the end of the world, but it is clearly an OPPORTUNITY to grow our souls, our abilities, and to learn just how deep and strong our faith flows!!


So -- let go of the stress, worry, and FEAR - replace it with FAITH and HOPE and BELIEF!!!


This too shall pass - and although our lives may not resemble what they did a year ago in many cases - IT WILL ALL BE OK!


God Bless and Stay Strong!!!




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Ask for Help

"Who is of so little faith that in moments of great disaster and heartbreak has not called to his or her God?

Who has not cried out when confronted with death, danger, mystery beyond normal comprehension and experience?

From where has this deep instinct come which escapes from the mouths of all living creatures in moments of peril?

Move your hand in haste before another's eye and his eyelids will blink. Tap another on his knee and his leg will jump. Confront another with dark horror and his mouth will say "My God" from the same deep impulse.

My life not need be filled with religion in order for me to recognize the Greatest mystery of nature.

All creatures that walk the earth, including man, possess the INSTINCT to cry for help!

Why do we possess this instinct, this gift??

Are not our cries for help a form of prayer?

Is it not INCOMPREHENSIBLE in a world governed by nature's laws to give a lamb, a mule, a bird, or man the instinct to cry out for help lest some GREAT MIND has also provided that the cry should be heard by some Superior POWER having the ability to hear and answer our cry???

Henceforth I will pray, but my cries for help will only be cries for GUIDANCE!

Never will I pray for material things of the world. I am not calling to a servant to bring me food. I am not ordering an innkeeper to provide me with room. Never will I seek delivery of Gold, love, good health, petty victories, fame, success or happiness.
Only for guidance will I pray, that I may be shown THE WAY TO ACQUIRE THOSE THINGS, and my prayer will be answered!!

The guidance I seek may come - or the guidance I seek may not come-but are not both of these an answer?

I will pray for guidance, and I will pray in this manner:

Oh Creator of all things, help me. For this day I go out into the world naked and alone, and without your hand to guide me I will wander far from the path which leads to success and happiness.

I ask not for gold or garments or even opportunities equal to my ability; instead, guide me so that I may acquire ability equal to my opportunities.

Help me remain humble through obstacles and failures; yet hide not from mine eyes the prize that will come with victory.

Spare me sufficient days to reach my goals; yet help me to live this day as though it be my last."

Discipline me in the habit of trying and trying again; yet show me the way to make use of the law of averages. Favor me with alertness to recognize opportunity; yet endow me with patience which will concentrate my strength.

Bathe me in good habits that the bad ones may drown; yet grant me compassion for weakness in others. Suffer me to know all things shall pass; yet help me to count my Blessings TODAY.

Expose me to Hate so it not be a stranger;yet fill my cup with love to turn strangers into friends.

But all these things be only if thy will. I am a small and lonely grape clutching the vine yet thou hast made me different from all others. Verily, there must be a special place for me. Guide me. Help me. Show me the way!

Let me become all you planned for me when my seed was planted and selected by you to sprout in the vineyard of the world.

Help this Humble Salesman.

Guide Me God!

-- Og Mandino, "The Greatest Salesman in the World"

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Never Forget

Hard to Believe that SEVEN years have passed since that infamous and unforgettable day we all experienced!

Today, with the victims and equally importantly the families of the victims of those heinous and cowardly attacks firmly in our minds, let us reflect and pray for peace, pray for safety, and pray that we never have to experience an event like that ever again.

Regardless of your religion, your politics, your opinions or your choice of political candidates --- Hug your kids, hug your spouse, your dog, your parents, your friends, your neighbor, - whomever you wish -- but be sure to step back for at least a moment today and count your blessings, thank everyone in your life for their love, and Never EVER forget.

Stay Strong!

Action!!! Now!!!

" My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible.

All are of zero value UNLESS they are followed by ACTION!

I will Act now!!

Never has there been a map, however, carefully executed to detail and scale, which carried its owner over even one inch of ground.

Never has there been a parchment of law, however fair, which prevented one crime.

ACTION, ALONE, is the tinder which ignites the map, the parchment, our dreams, our plans, our goals, into a living force. Action is the food and drink which will nourish my success.

I will act now!

My procrastination which has held me back was born of fear and now I recognize this secret mined from the depths of all courageous hearts.

Now I know that to conquer fear I must always act without hesitation and the flutters in my heart will vanish.

Now I know that action reduces the lion of terror to an ant of equanimity.

I will Act Now!

Henceforth, I will remember the lesson of the firefly who gives off its light only when it is on the wing, only when it is in action. I will become a firefly and even in the day my glow will be seen in spite of the sun.

Let others be as butterflies who preen their wings yet depend on the charity of a flower for life. I will be as the firefly and my light will brighten the world.

I will Act Now!

I will not avoid the tasks of today and charge them to tomorrow for I know that tomorrow may never come. Let me act now even though my actions may not bring happiness or success for it is better to act and fail then not to act and flounder.

Happiness, in truth, may not be the fruit plucked by my action yet without action all fruit will die on the vine.

I will Act Now! I Will Act Now. I will Act Now... I will Act Now.....

Henceforth, I will repeat these words again and again , each hour, each day, every day, until the words become as much as a habit as my breathing and the actions which follow become as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids.

With these words I can condition my mind to perform every act necessary for my success.

With these words I can condition my mind to meet every challenge which the failure avoids.

I will Act Now!

When I awake I will say them and leap from my bed while the failure sleeps yet another hour.

I will Act Now.

When I face a closed door I will say them and knock while the failure waits outside with fear and trepidation.

I will Act Now!

When I am tempted to Quit and begin again tomorrow I will say them and immediate act to consummate another sale.

I will Act now!

I will walk where the failure fears to walk. I will work when the failure seeks rest. I will talk when the failure remains silent.

For Now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy!

I am not lazy.

Tomorrow is when the evil become good.

I am not evil.

Tomorrow is the day when the Weak become strong.

I am not weak.

Tomorrow is when the failure will succeed.

I am not a failure.

I will Act Now!

When the lion is hungry he eats. When the Eagle thirsts he drinks. Lest they act, both shall perish.

I hunger for success. I thirst for happiness and peace of mind. Lest I act I will perish in a life of failure, misery, and sleepless nights.

I will command and I will obey mine own command!

I will Act Now!

Success will not wait. If I delay she will become betrothed to another and lost to me forever.

This is the TIME.

This is the PLACE!

I am the MAN!

I Will Act Now!"

Og Mandino - "The Greatest Salesman in the World."
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Rejection as a Positive??!!!!

"My little man is an idiot".

-- George Costanza, Seinfeld....

We seldom think of anything dealing with the term "rejection" as positive, however there is one important use for rejection that is 100% positive!

We are constantly listening to our inner voice - that omnipresent "guide" that seems to dictate our moods and emotions almost constantly.

It often appears to be programmed in a cautionary and negative manner as many of these "thoughts" that derive from that voice are negative in nature.

This is the voice that says:

"Don't do it - you are not qualified for it"

"Better not try - you always lose"

"Why would they want you for that role?"

"Remember 4th grade? Well you don't want that to happen to you again - do you?"

"Don't ask her on a date - she will never like someone like you."

You get the gist. Not exactly motivating support!

Does this "guidance" system seem like a good ally? Does it seem fair and objective?

If you had a friend or partner or spouse who spoke the way you let your "inner voice" speak to you, how long do you think you would be able to take it before you wither and die in spirit?

Well - we do have this problem and we do allow it to rule us at times - but guess what - we do not have to!!

We hold the power to VETO and REJECT these seemingly automatic thoughts that occur whenever we ponder an action.

Reject that voice outright!!

Say aloud that your voice has lost it's mind - is no friend of yours - and begin to replace that negative thought with an affirmation - or your MAITH (your aforementioned Mental Ace in the Hole)

Reject this nagging, negative draw on your soul EVERY TIME and you will start to crack this bad pattern that so often holds us prisoner!!!!

The time to Reject it is NOW!! This very minute!!!

You will see results in your mood, your emotions, your life almost immediately!!

Do not be shy!!!! Go after it like a Lion!!! Invite the voice to try and take you down --and send it back from whence it came with it's tail between it's legs!!!

Have a great and positive Monday and as always - Stay Strong!!!

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"Twofer" Friday! This too shall Pass!!!

I will laugh at the World.

No living creature can laugh except man.

Trees may bleed when they are wounded, and beasts in the field will cry in pain and hunger, yet only WE have the GIFT of laughter and it is ours to use whenever we choose.

Henceforth I will cultivate the habit of laughter.

I will smile and my digestion will improve; I will chuckle and my burdens will be lightened; I will laugh and my life will be lengthened for this is the Great Secret of long life and now it is OURS!!!

I will laugh at the World!

And most of all, I will laugh at myself for man is the most comical when he takes himself too seriously.

Never will I fall into this trap of the mind.

For though I be nature's greatest miracle AM I NOT STILL a mere grain tossed about by the winds of time?

Do I truly know whence I came or whither I am bound?

Will my concern for this day not seem foolish ten years hence?

Why should I permit the petty happenings of today to disturb me in the least?

What can take place before this sun sets which will not seem insignificant in the river of centuries?

I will laugh at the World.

Yet - HOW can I laugh when confronted with man or deed which offends me so as to bring forth my tears and my curses?

FOUR WORDS I will train myself to say until they become a habit so strong that immediately they will appear in my mind whenever good humor threatens to depart from me.

These words, passed down from the ancients, will carry ME - US - through every adversity and maintain my life in balance.

These four words are:

THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

I will laugh at the world.

For all worldly things shall indeed pass. When I am heavy in heartache and worry I shall console myself that THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

When I am strangled in poverty and despair I shall tell myself that THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

When I am puffed with success and burdened with wealth I shall warn myself that THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Yea, verily, where is he who built the pyramids? Is he not buried within it's stone? And will the pyramid, one day, also not be buried under sand?

If all things shall pass why should I be of concern for today?

I will laugh at the world.

I will paint this day with laughter.

Never will I labor to be happy; rather will I remain too busy to be sad.

I will enjoy today's happiness TODAY!

It is not a grain to be stored in a Box. It is not a wine to be saved in a bottle.

It cannot be saved for tomorrow. It must be sown and reaped on the same day and this I will do, henceforth!

I will laugh at the world.

And with my laughter all things will be reduced to their proper size. I will laugh at my failures and they will vanish in CLOUDS OF NEW DREAMS!

I will laugh at my successes and they will shrink to their true value. I will laugh at evil and it will die untasted!

I will laugh at goodness and it will thrive and abound.

Each day will be triumphant ONLY when my smiles bring forth smiles from others!

So long as I laugh I will never be poor. This then is one of nature's greatest gifts, and I will waste it no more.

ONLY with laughter and happiness can I truly become a success.

ONLY with laughter and happiness can I enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Were it not so, far better would it be to fail, for happiness is the wine that sharpens the taste of the meal.

To enjoy success I MUST HAVE HAPPINESS, and laughter will be the maiden who serves me!

I WILL BE HAPPY!

I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!

I will laugh at the World!"

---Og Mandino, "The Greatest Salesman in the World"
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Master of Your Emotions

"Today I will be Master of my Emotions!!

The tides advance; the tides recede. Winter comes and summer goes. The sun rises and the sun sets. The moon is full; the moon is black. The birds arrive; the birds depart. Flowers bloom, flowers fade. Seeds are sown; harvests are reaped.

All of nature ( that is you and I) is a circle of moods and we are a part of nature and so like the tides, my moods will rise; my moods will fall.

Today I will be Master of my Emotions!

It is one of nature's tricks, little understood, that each day I awaken with moods that have changed from yesterday.

Yesterday's joy will become today's sadness; yet today's sadness will grow into tomorrow's joy.

Inside me is a wheel, constantly turning from sadness to joy, from exhultation to depression, from happiness to melancholy.

Like the flowers, today's full bloom of joy may fade and wither into despondency, yet I will REMEMBER that as today's dead flower carries the seed of tomorrow's bloom, so, too, does TODAY'S SADNESS CARRY THE SEED OF TOMORROW'S JOY!!

Today I will be Master of my Emotions!

How?

How will I master these emotions so that each day will be productive? For unless my mood is right the day will be a failure.

Trees and plants depend on the weather to flourish but I make my own weather, yea I transport it with me!

And how will I master my emotions so that EVERY DAY is a HAPPY DAY, a PRODUCTIVE one?

I will learn this SECRET of the AGES:

WEAK IS HE WHO PERMITS HIS THOUGHTS TO CONTROL HIS ACTIONS;
STRONG IS HE WHO FORCES HIS ACTIONS TO CONTROL HIS THOUGHTS!

Each day, when I awake, I will follow this plan of battle before I am captured by the forces of sadness, self-pity and failure --

If I feel depressed - I will Sing.
If I feel sad -- I will laugh.
If I feel ill -- I will double my labor.
If I feel fear -- I will plunge ahead.
If I feel inferior --I will wear new garments.
If I feel uncertain -- I will raise my voice.
If I feel incompetent -- I will remember past success.
If I feel insignificant -- I will remember my Goals.

Today I will master my emotions!!

Henceforth I will recognize and identify the mystery of moods of all mankind, and in me.

From this moment I am prepared to control whatever personality awakes in me each day.

I will master my moods through POSITIVE ACTION and when I master my moods I will CONTROL MY DESTINY!

Today I control my Destiny!

I will become Master of Myself!

I will become GREAT!!"

Stay Strong!!!

---Og Mandino, "The Greatest Salesman in the World"

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NYTimes.com: For the Brain, Remembering Is Like Reliving

Amazing Breakthrough in Brain Research - Memories!! Check out link below! SCIENCE September 5, 2008 For the Brain, Remembering Is Like Reliving By BENEDICT CAREY For the first time, scientists have recorded individual brain cells fetching a spontaneous memory.

Decision Making

It is absolutely fascinating to me how much our lives depend on "decisions". The very course of our lives can turn dramatically based on a seemingly innocuous decision.



How often do we hear both horror and lovely stories of the longer term outcome and ramifications of our decisions?



The school you choose, the partner you choose, the party or restaurant you decide to go to one night, the job opportunity you take or more importantly decide not to take, the route you take to the train or supermarket one day -- all of these seemingly easy and small decisions play a gigantic role in the direction, path and ultimately the quality of our lives.



Some decisions are made with the blink of an eye, others made only after agonizingly analyzing both sides of the coin.



No matter, the common characteristic evident in any decision is COURAGE!



Courage to choose the Right path - to listen to your gut and do the Right Thing - based on FAITH!



As in many things, the outcome of many of our decisions is seldom immediately known to us and it may take many days, weeks, years, to know if the right decision was made!



But let me assure you - a decision made in Faith, in faith that there is something or Someone larger and wiser guiding you, a decision based in Love and Trust is ALWAYS going to end well!!



Many times we make a decision and immediately question it - lament over it - "buyers' remorse" they call it!



This is a wasteful and fruitless exercise - make the decision, have the good faith to know that a decision made in faith, love and trust will always be the RIGHT and ONLY decision, and move on with your next step!!!



Everything works out - no matter what happens - and we MUST believe this as we make our choices!!!



It is law!!! ;)



Stay Strong and have conviction and faith in your life decisions!



There is a Plan - there is a Path for all of us and if we just open our hearts and ears - we will be guided and never stray alone!! The right decisions will come to us - Always!



God Bless and Stay Strong!!!





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Your Source of Power

"Thomas Edison was far and away the calmest man I have ever known.

He had no fears. He had no frustration. He had no regrets about anything or anyone. He had no grandiose ideas of his own importance, but he did have humility of the heart, which made him TRULY GREAT!

Once I was speaking with him about the ten thousand times he failed in his experiments to perfect the incandescent lamp. I asked him "What would you have done if you had not finally uncovered the secret"?

With a merry twinkle in his eyes, he replied, "I would be in my laboratory working now, instead of wasting my time speaking with you."

Edison knew no such reality as "failure".

To satisfy my curiosity about how many failures the average person can survive without quitting and giving up in despair, I once conducted a survey to ascertain the staying power of men and women in the face of failure and defeat.

I observed two of the most important facts concerning men and women who are successful in their chosen fields and those who are not.

The successes SPEAK IN THE FUTURE TENSE OF YET UNATTAINED OBJECTIVES WHICH THEY INTEND TO ACHIEVE.

The failures SPEAK IN THE PAST TENSE OF THEIR DEFEATS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS.

I have never known this Rule to Fail.

There is another trait I have observed concerning successes and failures.

The successful person usually speaks in complimentary terms of others who are succeeding.

Envy and Revenge are ugly words. More ugly still is the character of the person who indulges in these emotions. They represent emotions against which the doors of your mind must be tightly closed if you are to enjoy peace of mind.

Close the doors of your mind to everything that causes you anxiety, fear,pain,envy, greed and the desire to get something for nothing.

The penalty for failure to close these doors will be the loss of the peace of mind which you are seeking.

Your mind is your own. You are the sole supervisor of it's reactions to every circumstance which affects your life.

Learn now to close the door of your mind and shut out negative reactions if you wish to find peace of mind and prosperity."

----Napoleon Hill, "Napoleon Hill's A Year of Growing Rich" 1993
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Just How Rejuvenated am I you ask?

"I will persist until I succeed!

In the Orient, young bulls are tested for the fight arena in a certain manner. Each is brought to the ring and allowed to attack a picador who pricks them with a lance.

The "Bravery" of each bull is then rated with care according to the number of times he demonstrates his willingness to charge in spite of the sting of the blade.

Henceforth will I recognize that each day I am tested BY LIFE in a like manner.

If I persist, if I continue to try, If I continue to charge forward, I will succeed!!!

I will persist until I succeed!!

I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd!

I am a LION and I refuse to walk, talk, to sleep with the sheep.

I will hear not those who weep and complain for their disease is contagious.

Let them join the sheep!

The slaughterhouse of failure is not MY destiny!!

I will persist until I succeed!!

The prizes of life are at the END of each journey, not near the beginning!

And it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my Goal!

Failure I may encounter at the 1000th step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. Never will I know how close it lies until I turn the corner.

ALWAYS will I take another step. If that step is to no avail, I will take another, and yet another.

In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult!

I will be liken to the rain drop which washes away the mountain; the ant who devours a tiger; the star which brightens the earth; the slave who builds a pyramid. I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.

I will persist until I succeed!

I will try and try and try again! Each obstacle I will consider a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession.

I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm.

Henceforth, I will learn and apply another secret of those who excel. When each day is ended, not regarding whether it has been a success or failure, I will attempt to achieve one more sale.

When my thoughts beckon my tired body homeward I will resist the temptation to depart.

I will try again.

Never will I allow any day to end in failure! Thus I will plant the seed of tomorrow"s success and gain an insurmountable advantage over those who cease their efforts at a prescribed time.

When others cease their struggle, then mine will begin and my harvest will be full.

Nor WILL I ALLOW YESTERDAY'S SUCCESS TO LULL ME INTO TODAY'S COMPLACENCY for this is the great foundation of failure.

I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and GREET THE NEW SUN WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WILL BE THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!

So long as there is a breath in me, that long will I persist.

For now I know one of the GREATEST principles of Success:

If I persist long enough I will WIN.

I will persist.

I will Win!!"

...Og Mandino - "The Greatest Salesman in the World" - 1968

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Greetings Back From Vacation!!

There is nothing like taking a break from your everyday workload and resting and relaxing with your family, loved ones, alone, etc..

It is critical and necessary to do this at least a few times a year in order to recharge, rejuvenate and realign your mental and physical bearings!

Sorry to neglect the site for that period of rejuvenation but I do not want to get in the habit of posting just for posting sake! I want to add value and assist and promote positive and creative thinking on this site and if I do not have that source of inspiration one day I do not want to degrade the integrity of the writings by just posting text.

Hope you understand! I am back and feel re-born!!! ;). Thanks to all who emailed me with kind thoughts and with their feelings on this site! We are here to help build STRONG people and relationships and mind-sets and to make people understand THEY ARE NEVER ALONE in their struggles!!

Stay Strong!!

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John Challis 1989 -2008

Courage + Believe = Life!!

John Challis -- the courageous and inspirational teenager we chronicled here on this Blog focused on Strength, Courage, and Inspiration - has passed away after a hard-fought Battle with his Cancer!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

We will NEVER forget his bravery and Spirit during his fight - and the Message he shared with us all ... COURAGE + BELIEVE = LIFE!!

He will always remain an inspiration to us all!!

You can see the video on John here... if you missed it on this site before --- please do not miss it again here!

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3543534

An old Irish funeral prayer:

Here, freed from pain, secure from misery, lies

A child, the darling of his parents' eyes:

A gentler Lamb ne'er sported on the plain,

A fairer flower will never bloom again:

Few were the days allotted to his breath;

Now let him sleep in peace his night of death.

- Thomas Gray

God Bless and Stay Strong!

Some Powerful Thoughts from Teach U...

STAY STRONG

What's truly important now- at this moment - is to SMILE!

This shows you're content with where you are NOW, and it invites your neighbors into this MOMENT of contentedness.

Spread that smile in the next moment and when you do cross that path, when a smile is missing-look and search out that neighbor's smile that you put there in the moment that had passed.

I am in search of a smile FROM you.

I will do my best to smile FOR you.

It's not easy to be content, it's not easy to battle negatives-

But it is easy to smile!

--- Teach U

Keep up the Good Fight!!

Hey - I know it ain't EASY to constantly battle Negative Thoughts and to identify these "killers" as they occur!

I know by experience that it can be overwhelming to repeatedly pushback on these seemingly invincible powers that aim to render us weak and powerless and slaves to every negative thought that infiltrates our minds!

I know - I understand!! I am with you!!!

However, WE HAVE NO CHOICE!!!! Zero!!! Not one iota of a choice but to keep fighting the good fight to banish and/or destroy these false beliefs, nagging negative nay-sayers that keep us from living our DREAM LIFE!!

Understand this - we -ALL OF US - are in a Battle for our Lives!!! Maybe not life-or-death, but just as SERIOUS!!! It is the battle to decide if we live out our existence here as weaklings, afraid of everything and everyone, and biding our time until the Grim Reaper calls our number.... OR as Strong, Confident, Powerful. Loving, compassionate, JOYOUS and GRATEFUL beings - seeing what we want and going after it with our entire mind, body and SOUL - cloaked in Positive and Strong ENERGY!!!

That is what is at stake here for all of us!!

Which one do you want to experience??

Well - it is not an EASY battle but it is a Battle we all CAN and MUST WIN!!

Have you ever been stuck in your car on a snowbank, or ice patch in the Winter?? Well in order to dislodge your car from that predicament we must apply a force GREATER than the force that is keeping the car trapped! We will rock the car a bit, get some momentum going and the apply massive force to "unstuck" the vehicle!!

Well this is what we need to do in our Battle versus Negativity!!

We MUST apply a force GREATER than that applied in our Negative thoughts in order to dislodge and smash the negative energy!!

You can do this by first IDENTIFYING negative thought compounding as it sneaks into our minds!!

Then HALT it by recognizing this is your ENEMY NUMERO UNO!!

DO NOT LISTEN to it!! DISMISS it as false and harmful!!

Immediately shift your thoughts to your MAITH (Mental Ace in the Hole) we discussed last week!!!

Go on the OFFENSIVE - change the momentum and SMASH those weak, evil, negative thoughts with your MAITHs about hope, dreams, plans and GOALS!

This will make you VICTORIOUS!! And it will make you JOYOUS, Strong and in control!!!!

Try it -- and KEEP BATTLING!! Victory is not far off and it is OURS!!!

Stay Strong!!

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True Wealth - Final Part III

Final Thoughts from the "True Wealth" Team...

"9) Be open to wise counselors. Aristotle believed that the first sign of wisdom is when we are able to learn from the experience of others. With that in mind, seek the advice of financial professionals who can steer you onto a path of personal and financial freedom. Seek the advice of fitness experts who can help you live a healthy life. Seek the advice of other teachers, coaches, and professionals whose messages connect and resonate with you. However, always remember that you are yourbest teacher.

No matter what you hear or read, make sure it is congruent with your values, your purpose, and your faith. Please remember, if you go through life taking no risks, you're actually taking a big risk.

Beginning your journey to uncover True Wealth may seem very scary at first. It requires you to be honest with yourself and to look deeply within yourself to uncover your deepest hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

You may discover that you need to make major changes in your life, or, you may discover that you've been on the right path all along and this just gives you confirmation of what you already know.

The risk you take by not beginning your journey to uncover True Wealth is that at the end of your days, you may look back on your life with sadness over what you might have done, might have been, or might have become.

So, step out of your comfort zone and begin your journey to True Wealth right now. "

I told you the story of my Dad and how I am certain he regretted to some degree in his dying days that he did not recognize the love people had for him his whole life - until it was too late!

Do NOT let that happen to you! Seize the Day - TODAY!!!! Be whatever you want to be and DO NOT LET OTHERS thoughts, or interpretations, or judgements, or discouragement KEEP you from attaining your Goals!

Turn away your FEARS - they are nothing in the face of Love, Faith and Hope!!

Stay Strong!