Failure Is The First Step To Success

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I grew up as a big Michael Jordan fan. The things that he did on the basketball court were unbelievable. He always strove to the best. He was one of the only players that you can say never took a night off or took it easy once the game started.

Jordan represents the never give up attitude that everyone should strive for. Despite failing many times, he never gave up. He didn't shy away from pressure. He wanted to push himself to the limit because he knew that amazing things would happen if he did.

Push yourself to take new strides. Take up a project and stick to it. You can do anything that you want. You just have to have the desire as Napoleon Hill puts it so many times in his bestseller Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller--Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

Desire is what brings you closer to your dreams. Jordan had the desire to be the best at his chosen profession. "The greatest thing about Michael Jordan is that he tries to be Michael Jordan every night." I can't remember who said this but it is on one of his many videos. The point was that he tried to be the best every night. His name was associated with greatness on the court. He never let up on his opponents. He tried to destroy the opposing team without remorse.

This never let up attitude can be transfered into every life situation. Never give up. You will fail, but failure makes you stronger. Don't shy away from a challenge. Meet it head on and the results will be amazing. Enjoy this short video. Know that it is alright to fail as long as you get right back up and try again. Thanks for listening. Blessings!

Life Is Whatever You Make It

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I came across this poem by Big Hersh. He's a high school senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up in Rhode Island, but my family moved to Ohio after I left for college. So I wanted to give some love to the hometown.

This is a great poem to keep in the back of your mind. He reminds us to "feel" life and to continue to "move forward". Life is only what we have at this very moment. Life, as we all know, has it's ups and downs. We need to remember to ride the "high" times for all that we can, and to steadily maintain during the "low" times.

Each of us is "unique and beautiful" in our own way. Each of will have to find our own path in life. We are all here for a reason that has an impact on everyone and everything else in this experience on earth.

Life is whatever you want to make it. Make the most of it. Find your unique niche and run with it. You have the amazing power to do and create whatever situation you want. It is up to you to figure out what that is.

Thanks again to Big Hersh. Keep on sharing your talents big man. I am always encouraged when I see or hear of young people using their mind for something positive. Encourage the young people in your life to become "creators." Don't shun them when they speak of their ideas. Nurture them, and you will see what great things can come from the minds of our youth. Many blessings and thanks for listening.

Life Quote

by Big Hersh

Just stop and think
about life
what do you feel
.....nothing
is that how life is,
nobody really knows
you see the only way
to really find out
is to move forward
so you move forward
but on the way to where ever
you are going you
hit a few bumps
it hurts a lot
so you realize and wonder
is it supposed to feel like this
again no one knows
so why do we get up
knowing that our life's
do not last forever and
why are we here
i can tell you why
....we are all here for different reasons
why is this i don't know
but that is what makes
each of us unique and beautiful
so i cant tell you what to do
you have to decide that for yourself
just remember this
that no matter how long our life's are
we all effect this world in many different
ways whether you thinks so or not
even those people that sit around and
do absolutely nothing with there life's
you see this is what makes all of us beautiful
so the question is
what is life?
and the answer to that is
whatever you make it
.....remember that

A Little Inspiration For The Soul

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Here's an inspirational video that will help get you through the weekend. Enjoy!

Short Story About An Act Of Kindness

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Take a look at this short story and then the video that follows. Remember to find some way to perform an act of kindness. Opportunities will present itself. Be sure to be ready when it does. No act of kindness is too small. Many blessings, and thanks for listening.


No Small Act of Kindness
A panhandler shows me that nothing is too small or insignificant to effect change.
By Donna Wick

*Reprinted with permission from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

The day was Thankful Thursday, our "designated day" of service. It's a weekly tradition that my two little girls and I began years ago. Thursday has become our day to go out in the world and make a positive contribution. On this particular Thursday, we had no idea exactly what we were going to do, but we knew that something would present itself.

Driving along a busy Houston road, praying for guidance in our quest to fulfill our weekly Act of Kindness, the noon hour appropriately triggered hunger pangs in my two little ones. They wasted no time in letting me know, chanting, "McDonald's, McDonald's, McDonald's" as we drove along. I relented and began searching earnestly for the nearest McDonald's. Suddenly I realized that almost every intersection I passed through was occupied by a panhandler. And then it hit me! If my two little ones were hungry, then all these panhandlers must be hungry, too. Perfect! Our Act of Kindness had presented itself. We were going to buy lunch for the panhandlers.

After finding a McDonald's and ordering two Happy Meals for my girls, I ordered an additional 15 lunches and we set out to deliver them. It was exhilarating. We would pull alongside a panhandler, make a contribution, and tell him or her that we hoped things got better. Then we'd say, "Oh, by the way…here's lunch." And then we would varoom off to the next intersection.

It was the best way to give. There wasn't enough time for us to introduce ourselves or explain what we were going to do, nor was there time for them to say anything back to us. The Act of Kindness was anonymous and empowering for each of us, and we loved what we saw in the rear view mirror: a surprised and delighted person holding up his lunch bag and just looking at us as we drove off. It was wonderful!

We had come to the end of our "route" and there was a small woman standing there, asking for change. We handed her our final contribution and lunch bag, and then immediately made a U-turn to head back in the opposite direction for home. Unfortunately, the light caught us again and we were stopped at the same intersection where this little woman stood. I was embarrassed and didn't know quite how to behave. I didn't want her to feel obligated to say or do anything.

She made her way to our car, so I put the window down just as she started to speak. "No one has ever done anything like this for me before," she said with amazement. I replied, "Well, I'm glad that we were the first." Feeling uneasy, and wanting to move the conversation along, I asked, "So, when do you think you'll eat your lunch?"

She just looked at me with her huge, tired brown eyes and said, "Oh honey, I'm not going to eat this lunch." I was confused, but before I could say anything, she continued. "You see, I have a little girl of my own at home and she just loves McDonald's, but I can never buy it for her because I just don't have the money. But you know what…tonight she is going to have McDonald's!"

I don't know if the kids noticed the tears in my eyes. So many times I had questioned whether our Acts of Kindness were too small or insignificant to really effect change. Yet in that moment, I recognized the truth of Mother Teresa's words: "We cannot do great things - only small things with great love."

Dream Big!!!

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Here's a great piece reminding us to DREAM BIG. Whatever it is you want in life, don't settle for second best. You deserve the absolute best. The sooner you realize this, the sooner your dreams will become reality. Many Blessings, and thanks for listening.

Love Yourself Unconditionally

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I wasn't going to post today because I've been a little under the weather but I came across this poem that I had to share.

I'm In Love

Suddenly the world is a nicer place,
I’m wearing my best smile on my face,
There’s beauty in everything I see,
I hear birds and their sweet melody,
My days are bright and my skies are blue,
Just because I’m in love with you.
Duane Francis

This poem speaks to the joys of that first love ,you know the jump and click your heels type of love.
hearts
Duane Francis is a very talented poet and writer. I came across his blog Expressing The Language Of Love while searching the blog network Blogcatalog.

I love this poem for the fact that you can read as an expression of love for someone else. I really really love this poem because I read it as a reminder to love myself.

Before you can love anybody else you have to love yourself. A lot of times, people get into relationships to fulfill something that they see as lacking in their own life. We often hear people say that they can't live with out their partner. They say, "I would just die if my girlfriend wasn't in my life." I would caution this type of thinking because you're basing your whole idea of love as being something outside of you.

Love comes from within. Once you begin to love yourself, "suddenly the world will become a nicer place." Once love permeates from your being, you can't help but "to wear your best smile." "Beauty will be in everything you see" because your outward world is a reflection of what is going on inside of you. Love within yourself equals love manifested in your physical world.

Begin to love yourself unconditionally. You'll start to hear the "sweet melodies of the birds" again. The "sky will seem bluer and brighter." This change will take place "all because you love yourself."

Many blessings, and thanks for listening.

Be Like A Butterfly

Hello friends,

Hope all is well. Here's a short story to remind us to find the beauty in everything. When times get "cold", remember to look deep inside yourself to find the "warmth" of the Universe. This "warmth" is promised to everyone. If you take the time to look around, you will see that we are all connected stemming from one Source.

Find the butterfly in every situation and life will unfold for you like the wings of a butterfly emerging from its cacoon in the spring. Enjoy this short story and thanks for listening.

Poor Little Butterfly!
type of flower



"Poor little butterfly," the young girl said. "Poor little butterfly."

Then reaching down slowly so as to not scare it away, she slid her tiny fingers underneath, urging it to step upon her hand.

It would appear to anyone that this delicate creature was lifeless leaving behind remains of what once was.

But not her. She sensed something. She knew right away that there was indeed some life left in this most fragile example of God's work.

The butterfly nearly tumbled onto her hand, wings folded straight up, apparently unable to fly.

Then, perhaps it was the warmth of her hands or the welcoming response to the attention it was given, but the butterfly began to walk slowly up to her palm.

"Poor little butterfly," she repeated again as she brought it closer to her face.

"If I could kiss you I would, " she said.

The butterfly, appearing to respond, slowly opened its wings, to reveal its beautiful designand colors. Now open fully, the child brought it closer and gave an angel's kiss of love.

Just off in the distance watching this precious moment, her grandmother walked toward them.

"Oh, you have found it," she said. "I was waiting for it and wondered where it was."

The child looked a bit surprised and said. "You were waiting for this butterfly? Why?"

"It is sent to remind us," grandmother said.

"But it is dying. I feel sorry for it. Don't they fly away when it gets cold?"

"Yes, they do. But one is always chosen to remain behind," she said.

Maybe this was just grandmother's way of softening the the truth so that the child would not be saddened by the thought of the butterfly dying. But what unfolded here was an incredible moment, an opportunity seen and taken to teach a lesson of love.

"Why would they choose to be left behind?" the child asked as she gently stroked the butterfly.

"They don't choose to be, they are chosen," she told her.

The child looked down again and held it closer.

"It is a great honor to be chosen. The story goes that God realized that when winter comes color disappears. The color of the flowers fade into the earth and all the delicate butterflies leave for warmer places. So, God decided that one should remain to remind us of the beautiful world He has created and the promise of Spring's return."

The child looked down and then lifting her head slowly, she whispered, "And I found it, grandmother."

"Yes, and with that you have a great responsibility," she said as she held the young girl's face in her hands.

"What?"

"You must now take time to see God's colors in the darkness of winter. You must be the sunshine. You must help those who have forgotten how beautiful life is, to see the color of God's love for them."

"Oh, grandmother. I don't know how to," she said.

"It is simple. Be yourself. People believe only what they see. Like the flowers and butterflies. But God makes people beautiful inside. It is up to us to bring that beauty out by loving each other, helping each other and when we find someone who has fallen, just like that butterfly, it is up to us to pick them up, carress them and care for them. For one day it may very well be His Chosen One left behind."

The child moved closer to her grandmother as they sat admiring God's messenger.

Take time to see the beauty, the colors of God in the people around you.

You, too may find the "Poor little butterfly!"

"I believe in You!"
~ Bob Perks ~
2 believe @ comcast .net

Conscious vs. Unonscious Living

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I've been reading a lot lately. I just finished The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. I highly recommend reading this book.

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens."


In Tolle's book he talks about living in the NOW. He explains that in reality, neither the past or future ever exist. There is only ever, Right Now.

According to Tolle, there is Conscious living and Unconscious living. Being in a state of consciousness is what we should be striving for. It is a state in which you truly understand your "inward" self in relation to your "outward" self.

The way to live consciously is to first identify any unconscious behavior. For example. Say you are wanting to lose weight so that you can be healthier. This is a "conscious" decision because it is something that will be good for you.

Two days into your diet you decide to eat three Whoppers, fries, and coke. King Sized. This would be an example of an unconscious decision. You know that your decision is not a good one but still you do it. Unconscious behavior stems from memories of the past or looking to much into the future.

Eating three Whoppers is an activity, that in the past, brought you joy and satisfaction. Choosing to diet threatens your comfort level or "ego". I'm realizing that the ego is the biggest hindrance to anyone achieving any goal.

The ego wants you to be comfortable. It tries to tell you who you are. The ego says, "you will never lose weight." "Why even try. You'll lose your lunch buddies." "Everyone will criticize you." The ego has a very powerful voice and we tend to listen because we lack the necessary foundation to stand strong.

Tolle tells us to recognize unconscious behavior as soon as it arises. The second you hear those voices, recognize it as unconscious behavior. Recognizing unconsciousness brings you closer to conscious living.

This can be done with anything in your life that you are wanting to change. Say you are prone to fits of rage. As soon as you feel an episode coming, recognize it for what is is and move on. Once you recognize the behavior you will not act on it because you see that action as being unconscious.

So how will react this New Year when you start to hear the voices in your head. The ego is a very powerful thing, but can be controlled if you start to get to heart of what is feeding your ego. Identify what needs changing in your life and do it now. Live for the moment. Don't worry about the future. It doesn't exist. Don't live your life based on past experiences. It doesn't exist. All that exist is right now. That's all we have. Who cares what happened in the past. Who cares what is going to happen in the future. If you live for right NOW, the Universe has already provided everything that we could ever want or need.

Here's a quick video of some quotes by Ekhart Tolle. Apply the concepts to your life and living in the NOW will become totally natural for you. Many blessings, and thanks for listening.

Expect More For 2008...Now

Hello Friends,

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Risk

more than others think is safe.

Care

more than others think is wise.

Dream

more than others think is practical.

Expect

more than others think is possible.

~cadet maxim

I was visiting a couple of blogs after I got home from work today. I came across Whole Living Today. Tania has a great blog. She describes it "an eclectic collection of spirituality, quotes & poems, lessons she has learned & whatever else she feels like passing on." Check her blog out. She has a lot of great posts to uplift the soul.

This is a great way to live ones life. When you apply this maxim to your life, the sky's the limit. Don't let 2008 dictate you. Dictate what 2008 is going to do for you. Live for the moment. The past and the future never exist. There is only NOW. This moment. This second. Live it to the fullest. I just finished The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle.(can't you tell?)

We'll talk more about Tolle's book in the future. It has many great quotes. But for now I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Make every moment a celebration of your existence. Thanks for listening.