Happy Sunday!! Safekeeping!

Safekeeping

"Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear;

Rather look to them with full Hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.

He is your keeper.

He has kept you hitherto.

Do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things;

And, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow in fear.

Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or He will give you strength to bear it."

- St Francis De Sales

So a question:

What are we worried about????

Stay Strong!!

Amazing photo courtesy of Brad Burton.. Manhattan Beach.. Thank you, Brad!

Fail... it is ok. - the more the better!!!!

I love to use Abe Lincoln as an example of what life is all about when I chat with my two kids - especially when they face tough lessons and struggle with the normal bumps of becoming young adults!

However, Good Ole Honest Abe is not just for the youngins!

I believe we are conditioned in this country - where we incessantly exalt all successes, and riches and accomplishments by celebrities, rock stars and sports heroes and yet one mistake or failure is seen as an insurmountable disappointment and embarrassment!

Let's take a look at Good Old Abe -- arguably one of the most successful, courageous and impactful leaders in all of HISTORY!!!

As you read this resume below, I ask you to honestly think about at which point - you or I or most people today would have thrown in the towel and called it quits!   

Abe Lincoln's Road to the White House:

1831  - Failed in his own business
1832 - Defeated in run for Legislature
1833 - Failed in second attempt at his own business
1836 - Suffers a Nervous Breakdown
1838 - Defeated in run for Speaker
1840 - Defeated in run for Elector
1843 - Defeated in run for Congress
1848 - Defeated in 2nd run for Congress
1855 - Defeated in run for Senate
1856 - Defeated in run for Vice President
1858 - Defeated in 2nd run for Senate
1860 - Elected President of the United States

Lincoln should have changed his name to Persistence Lincoln!!!! 

I mean really??!!  Are you freaking kidding me?

I am probably calling it quits after the Nervous Breakdown if not earlier!   lol   
As Napoleon Hill pointed out in his fantastic MUST READ "Napoleon Hill's A Year of Growing Rich" (1993):

"Abraham Lincoln's greatness revealed itself at its highest level when he was faced with problems which would have eclipsed the souls of smaller men. 

"The failures, defeats and adversities of his early life were were transmuted into a degree of intelligence which the average man rarely experiences. Lincoln had the RARE TRAIT OF BEING ABLE TO TURN ON MORE WILLPOWER INSTEAD OF QUITTING WHEN THE GOING WAS HARD AND SUCCESS WAS NOT IN SIGHT.

Anyone can quit or change his mind by turning his attention to something else when failure overtakes him; this is precisely what most people do under adverse circumstances.

If you aspire to the higher planes of success in life, you should become better acquainted with that great, powerful, positive self who lives in your body. It can be the creator of all joys you desire, all the material riches you need for peace of mind and happiness, and it can keep your body free from ailments."

Amazingly true --- but here is the kicker:

"This unseen entity that dwells in your body can carry out to the finest detail THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU GIVE IT, but you must take the initiative and let it know what you want from life. You are a FREE AGENT in the eyes of your positive self, AND YOU HAVE BEEN GIVE THE PRIVILEGE OF DIRECTING IT TO ENDS OF YOUR OWN CHOICE!

TAKE POSSESSION OF YOUR POSITIVE SELF AND IT WILL PUT YOU ON THE SUCCESS BEAM THAT YOU MAY RIDE TRIUMPHANTLY TO WHATEVER HEIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENT YOU DESIRE!"

Pretty powerful stuff and so very true!

As you face your daily trials and tribulations, recall the list of Lincoln's failures above and know that if he was able to persist and fight and this is key - NEVER QUIT AND BELIEVE IN HIS IMMINENT SUCCESS - so can all of us! 

Why not us?

If you want success, happiness, peace, wealth, a better job, marriage, - a better life - you need to BELIEVE it can be had and PERSIST until you get whatever you seek!

You will meet dozens of people - sometimes even your own loved ones - who will try to derail you or take you off your path (sometimes out of love and concern for us) - especially as you hit the hurdles and the TEMPORARY failures!  

BUT DON'T QUIT!!!!!   Just don't quit!

Because the tide WILL turn - and the reward is all the sweeter when you have worked and struggled and OVERCOME everything you encountered in order to reach your GOAL!!

Lincoln was not special when you think about it -- he just refused to be denied of his goal!!!

You and I can do the same thing today!!

Now go get that life you want!!!

Stay Strong

[Stay Strong] The Darkness will lift...

Some nights last longer than others it seems.
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> Sometimes the night appears to linger on for days.
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> But no matter the length or the duration of the darkness, LIGHT inevitably, undoubtedly, miraculously appears!!!
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> It is a given - a true blessing indeed! And one that we must remember when the night's darkness seems to endure and drag on in our lives!
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> LIGHT always breaks up the darkness - no matter how dark or how bleak the night seems!
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> It is ONE thing we can all count on when times get tough, when life takes a bad turn, or you feel overwhelmed!
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> Take a deep breath - step back and remember that regardless of how bad things seem to be at that moment - the LIGHT is coming to dissolve the darkness!
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> It always does and it always will!!!
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> Ask for it to come - pray for it to come!
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> "This too shall pass" is a phrase we use and hear often, but it is one of the most accurate and true phrases ever uttered!
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> The Night does not last!!

The Light is on it's way so STAY STRONG and hold on for it to arrive!

Uplift....

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you,
whose presence calls forth your
best."
- Epictetus

It is a bit impractical to believe we can completely avoid people with a negative attitude in this busy world.

However, we CAN make a conscious decision to consistently seek out friends and people who have uplifting qualities and positive and enthusiastic attitudes similar to our own goals!

We do not need to ostracize or shun people with negative, doom and gloom outlooks on the world - in fact we ought to try to help them come out of it wherever possible.

However, do not get dragged into the negative mire and web that we so often fall easy prey to on a daily basis. 

Be vigilant in recognizing these interactions that drain us, and derail all the hard work we put into rising to a level of faith, positivity and enthusiasm!

Help out where possible,  but as with a person who needs rescue and fears drowning, be careful not to be dragged down to the bottom in your rescue attempts!

Eventually we can build a resistance to the constant bombardment of negativity,  worry and fear - but it takes consistent effort and hard work!

Stick with it - the payoff is well worth it and it is closer to obtainment than you think!

Stay Strong!!

[Stay Strong] Shift Focus!

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
   ~ Mother Teresa
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> The beautiful quote from Mother Teresa above really embodies the POWER we hold over other's lives!!
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> We have the INATE ability and wonderful gift of making someone else's life happy --at our disposal!! 

Even if it is simply one interaction or moment, it is meaningful and extremely powerful!!
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> Operate under this knowledge and you will find your own life becoming happier, more peaceful, and adding enhanced meaning!!
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> Take the focus off of your own problems and challenges, seek out and help others as they struggle and you will undoubtedly improve your own life!!! 

Immediately!!

> Stay Strong and have a great week.

Amazing photo courtesy of Kevin Johnson!!!  Rye Beach ...09/13..Thank you, KJ!

Edward J. Flaherty RIP October 1, 1998

My Dad passed away 15 years ago today! 

It seems like yesterday! 

Not a day goes by that I do not miss him and wish he were still with us to share in all of our lives!

But I know he is watching over all of us and we will meet again!!!

Count your Blessings and be sure to cherish the time you have with your loved ones!  :)  It is fleeting indeed..

Every moment is a blessing!

Stay Strong!!

[Stay Strong] Perspective is the KEY

We all know how easy it is to become inundated with life's daily minutiae and how quickly one negative thought can become a cavalcade of misery -at least in our minds!
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> We have to be able to identify that one negative thought that starts the entire process rolling!
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> Recognize it as it changes our moods to anxiety, fear, sadness, worry, or depression!
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> And stop it dead in it's tracks!!!
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> Nothing -and I mean NOTHING - is as bad as it seems!
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> Focus on your Mental Ace in the Hole (MAITH) when you feel your mood change - FOCUS on action, planning, implementation of what you WANT to do next - NOT on the current situation!
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> Hope is a powerful thing - and Hope keeps all of us alive, either barely alive or thriving!

It does not matter to what degree - All that matters is that we keep Hope close to our hearts, on our lips, and NEVER doubt it's power to deliver us to peace, joy and love!!!
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> Have a crummy job, or no job? FOCUS on what is next - NOT on the current state!

VISUALIZE yourself at your next job - feel it, taste it - and take the steps necessary to put you in that direction!!
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> Nothing stays the same - so why convince yourself that you will always be in the spot you are today??
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> Set the GOAL - VISUALIZE the outcome - and take ACTION to make it a reality!
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> You are not alone - you always have someone willing to help - guide, support, and see you through to your goals!
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> Change the attitude you have - if necessary FAKE HAPPINESS!!
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> That is right - FAKE it as if you were on Broadway - but behind that facade KEEP THE SPIRIT OF HOPE and CHANGE alive!

It will transform into reality if you simply keep it in your heart and have FAITH!!
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> More people than you know care about you - want you to succeed, and are there for you in time of need!
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> And you WILL succeed!!

It is inevitable!!
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> Stay Strong!