Do You Believe You Deserve To Win?

By Richard Brody

With so much of our focus so often on winning, have you ever examined whether you really feel that you deserve to win? Or, do you settle for merely being in contention, settling for good - enough, as compared to personal excellence? While each of us may have different perceptions of what winning means, invariably it is dependent on a combination of our attitude, self - confidence, self - belief, values. integrity and persistence. Unless, and until, anyone really believes that he is worthy of, and deserves to win, accomplishing the same is nearly an impossibility.

1. How often have you heard or read something about the need to focus on maintaining a positive attitude? With all that attention, one might come to believe that there is no longer any need to focus on it. However, the reality is that a true positive attitude is personified by our everyday, consistent and persistent actions and behaviors, and not merely by an accumulation of empty rhetoric and verbiage. Maintaining an attitude of positivism means abandoning not only negative words, but negative thoughts, including the pessimistic outlooks associated with questioning whether something is possible, and continuously questioning whether one might succeed.

2. If you want to win, begin by believing in your knowledge and abilities. Understand that there is a significant difference between bragging and confidence, and that being confidence means addressing personal fear and overcoming them, by expanding our comfort zones and seeking continuous self - improvement.

3. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you can achieve what others often may not be able to do? Do you feel that merely because others continuously tell you that you can't do, or it can't be done, or that's not the way it's done or the way do things, that you have enough inner strength and fortitude to move forward and use your personal assets and individual differences to accomplish and persist when others might give up, or not even attempt. Are you satisfied with being ordinary, or to strive to be extraordinary?

4. What are your personal values, and do they jive with, and synergistically work with your strengths, to make you a better and more meaningful person? Is one of your priorities creating better and more meaningful value to all around you, and serving the greater good? Are you unwavering in your commitment to absolute integrity in all aspects of your life? Will you persist and persevere, when others merely give up and surrender?

When you become comfortable enough with yourself to truly believe that you deserve superior results, and you combine that with the commitment to do be great, that belief, in and of itself, will often drive you forward to do things differently, approach life more confidently, and expand your comfort level in a meaningful manner. When you really believe you deserve to win, you propel yourself closer to actually winning.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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The Only Way to Solve Any Problem

Finding THE COMMON GROUND Before COMING TO ANY SOLUTION IS THE ONLY WAY to Solve any Problem.

A father left 17 camels, as the inheritance for his three sons.

When the father passed away, his sons opened up the will.

The Will stated that THE ELDEST SON SHOULD GET HALF of 17 camels while THE MIDDLE SON SHOULD BE GIVEN 1/3RD (ONE-THIRD) & THE YOUNGEST SON SHOULD BE GIVEN 1/9TH (ONE-NINTH) of the 17 camels.

As it is not possible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the three sons started to quarrel with each other.

So, the three sons decided to go to a wise woman.

The wise woman listened patiently about the Will.

The wise young woman, after giving some thought, brought one camel of her own and added the same to 17. That increased the total to 18 camels.

Now, she started reading the deceased father’s will.

Half of 18 = 9.

So she gave the eldest son 9 camels

1/3rd of 18 = 6.

So she gave the middle son 6 camels

1/9th of 18 = 2.

So she gave the youngest son 2 camels.

Now add this up: 9 plus 6 plus 2 is 17, and this left one camel, which the wise woman took away.

LEARNING 1

The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is :

To find the 18th camel, i.e. the COMMON GROUND.

Once a person is able to find the 18th camel, that is the COMMON GROUND……ANY ISSUE GETS RESOLVED.

It is difficult at times to find the COMMON GROUND.

But the spirit is this only

LEARNING 2

To reach any solution of any problem….

First step is to believe that there is a solution.

Otherwise there won’t be any!


- Author Unknown
Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Success depends upon maturity!

 

Maturity is many things. It is the ability to base a judgment on the big picture, the long haul.
It means being able to resist the urge for immediate gratification and opt for the course of action that will pay off later.

One of the characteristics of the young is “I want it now.”

Grown-up people can wait.

Maturity is perseverance–the ability to sweat out a project or a situation, in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks, and stick with it until it is finished.

The adult who is constantly changing friends and changing mates is immature. He/she cannot stick it out because he/she has not grown up.

Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence or destruction. The mature person can face unpleasantness, frustration, discomfort and defeat without collapsing or complaining. He/she knows he cannot have everything his/her own way every time. He/she is able to defer to circumstances, to other people-and to time. He/she knows when to compromise and is not too proud to do so.

Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, “I was wrong.” And, when he/she is right, the mature person need not experience the satisfaction of saying, “I told you so.”

Maturity is the ability to live up to your responsibilities, and this means being dependable. It means keeping your word. Dependability is the hallmark of integrity. Do you mean what you say-and do you say what you mean? Unfortunately, the world is filled with people who cannot be counted on. When you need them most, they are among the missing. They never seem to come through in the clutches. They break promises and substitute alibis for performance. They show up late or not at all. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a chaotic maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that somehow never materialize. They are always a day late and a dollar short.

 

Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. Immature people spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and then doing nothing. Action requires courage. Without courage, little is accomplished.

Maturity is the ability to harness your abilities and your energies and do more than is expected. The mature person refuses to settle for mediocrity. He/she would rather aim high and miss the mark than low-and make it.

Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which cannot be changed, the courage to change that which should be changed, no matter what it takes, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Author: Ann Lander
Source : Author: Ann Lander Written by Stephen
photo credit: Alan Light via photopin cc

True friends are cherished treasures!

Once in a dense forest lived four friends. The first was Mooshak, a mouse; the second Kak, a crow; the third Mantharak, a tortoise and the fourth Harini, a doe. The four friends used to meet every morning sharing jokes and discussing various matters.

One morning, Mooshak, Kak and Mantharak sat by the lake side waiting for Harini. She was late and they were getting worried.

Mantharak said, “Dear Kak, it is very late now, almost noon. Why don’t you fly around and locate Harini. I fear she is not in some danger?”

Kok promptly took flight and while flying he spotted Harini trapped in a hunter’s net.

“Oh dear Harini!”, exclaimed Kak, “Mantharak was right. Here you are trapped in the net while we waited for you.”

“Dear Kak, do find some help and set me free,” cried Harini.

Kak flew back to his friends and told of Harini’s plight. After thinking for some time Mantharak said, “Well, Kak, why not take Mooshak with you? He will gnaw at the hunter’s net and surely Harini would be free to join us.”

That is right”, agreed Mooshak but in a grim voice he said. “How can I reach such a long way off quickly before the hunter’s arrival?”

“Dont worry”, said Kak, “for I will carry you on my back.”

So Mooshak hopped on Kak’s back and Kak flew him to Harini. Mooshak promptly set to cutting the net and soon Harini was free. By that time Mantharak, the tortoise, had reached the spot crawling slowly.

Just as the friends embraced each other joyfully they heard the hunter’s approaching footsteps. Harini hid behind a. bush, Mooshak jumped into a treehole and Kak flew up to a tree. Mantharak scrambled towards a rock to hide beneath it.

The hunter saw his damaged net and exclaimed, “Oh the doe has escaped and my net is torn too. Oh ! what is this—a fat turtle—better take this than the doe for at least I will not be hungry.”

Thus, the hunter picked up the slow-moving tortoise and put it in his bag. Now Mooshak, Kak and Harini were worried about setting Mantharak free. They quickly made a plan. .

At a distance, the hunter again spotted Harini chewing on lush green. He thought, “What luck ! A tortoise and the deer too for dinner tonight.” So saying he dropped his bag and went to catch Harini. But Harini was a fast runner and she led him far away.

Meanwhile, Mooshak cut open the hunter’s bag and Mantharak was set free. As soon as Mantharak was safely hidden beneath a rock and Mooshak was in the tree-hole, Kak flew to Harini.

Harini bound away fast and the hunter, tired as he was decided to return to his small catch, the tortoise.

But was ! when he returned he found no tortoise and he had no doe for dinner either.

Moral

True friends are cherished treasures.

- Author Unknown
Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How elite people think?

Have you ever wondered how elite people think? Through a short, inspiring speech below, Jim Rohn leads us into the spirit world of highly successful entrepreneurs. Here to strengthen our spirit! Yes we can!!

An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.

To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active. It’s to be skilled enough, confident enough, creative enough and disciplined enough to seize opportunities that present themselves… regardless of the economy.

A person with an enterprising attitude says, “Find out what you can before action is taken.” Do your homework. Do the research. Be prepared. Be resourceful. Do all you can in preparation of what’s to come.

Enterprising people always see the future in the present. Enterprising people always find a way to take advantage of a situation, not be burdened by it. And enterprising people aren’t lazy. They don’t wait for opportunities to come to them, they go after the opportunities. Enterprise means always finding a way to keep yourself actively working toward your ambition.

Enterprise is two things. The first is creativity. You need creativity to see what’s out there and to shape it to your advantage. You need creativity to look at the world a little differently. You need creativity to take a different approach, to be different.

What goes hand-in-hand with the creativity of enterprise is the second requirement: the courage to be creative. You need courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.

And lastly, being enterprising doesn’t just relate to the ability to make money. Being enterprising also means feeling good enough about yourself, having enough self worth to want to seek advantages and opportunities that will make a difference in your future. And by doing so you will increase your confidence, your courage, your creativity and your self-worth, your enterprising nature.

Author: Jim Rohn
Source : Author: Jim Rohn Written by Stephen

photo credit: TheScream via photopin cc

What YOU Think Means More Than What Others Say!

By Richard Brody

A large number of people end up being their own worst enemies. They act as if they are so needy, requiring the approval of others, and letting the opinions and words of others, powerfully impact their psyche and self - confidence. Rather than focusing on becoming a better YOU, these people spend an inordinate amount of time being concerned about what others think about them, and say to and about them. More often than not, the most powerful forces are our perceptions and self - belief. This must be more than mere empty rhetoric or fake or affected form of positivity, but rather must evolve from maintaining a work ethic that makes us move forward on an ongoing and consistent basis, properly utilizing our strengths while addressing our weaknesses and transforming them into personal strengths.

1. You can never really be truly happy or personally satisfied if you don't feel good about yourself, and have confidence in your self - worth. Perhaps the most devastating behavior is that far too often, we permit others to steal our dreams and aspirations, and accept their negative, naysaying attitudes. Success is never a one - step procedure, but rather comes as a result of persistence and perseverance. This requires the attitude of "can - do" and "will - do," and focusing on ways to achieve and reach our goals and aspirations. Don't let others place a Detour sign in the way of your beliefs!

2. Always be aware of the fact that there are individuals out there who will always be naysayers. In general, they do so, either because they lack the personal vision or self - confidence, or that they are jealous, envious or nervous that someone else will be able to better achieve than they are. The most popular way of people trying to steal other's dreams, and either consciously or subconsciously attempt to control how much someone else might achieve is by saying: "can't be done;" "we don't do it that way;" "that's not how it's done around here;" "why would you even think you could do that?," etc. Unless you have the self - confidence and inner belief that tells you, on a consistent and regular basis, that what you think means more (has more value and validity) than the words and beliefs of others, you permit the naysayers to control you! Why would you do that?

Essential self - belief does not usually just happen! Each of us have to work on it on a regular, consistent, sustained basis. Aren't you worth that effort and commitment?

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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Are You Being Strategic, Or Procrastinating?

By Richard Brody

Especially as it relates to being a leader, there is sometimes a rather fine line between acting strategically, as compared to procrastinating. In both circumstances, individuals review, analyze, and consider circumstances, events, needs and alternatives, but it is what one does with the information he gathers that distinguishes between strategy and procrastination. While the procrastinator avoids true and meaningful planning, will often do nearly anything to avoid taking action (or even a strand), and almost never makes a significant decision, strategy means doing something about needs, creating an action plan, and then actually proceeding forward and taking meaningful action.

1. There is nearly nothing as toxic to effective leadership than procrastination! When someone in these positions refuses or is unable to act in a timely basis, he exposes his organization to often dire ramifications, that become more challenging and dangerous the longer action is delayed. In my over three decades of identifying, qualifying, training, and consulting to well over a thousand individuals in positions of leadership, I have never heard even one individual who admitted to procrastinating. Rather, these individuals almost invariably explain that delays are a necessary part of their strategy, and they are taking the time to plan, rather than procrastinating. However, unless this strategy includes creating a step - by - step plan, and then moving forward towards accomplishing their goals, the only strategy being performed is strategic procrastination!

2. Great leaders must be extraordinary strategic planners! Without aligning their vision with their goals, and their goals with their actions, and their actions with their plans, the potential for achievement becomes severely limited. How can you call yourself a leader is you do not lead? And, how can you possibly lead if you avoid controversy, refuse to take a stand, and continuously put off decisions and/ or essential activities and actions? It is important to understand that while someone should not behave impulsively, he needs the courage of his convictions, and must be willing to stand up for what he feels needs to be done, take a stand even if it may not be immediately popular, and lead by example. Greatness comes from accomplishment, and one will never achieve anything of a meaningful nature unless he is willing to take action in both a timely, as well as meaningful, carefully thought - out nature!

You are not being a strategic leader if all you aim for is developing a strategy to avoid taking action. Great leadership follows motivating others by one's attitude, actions, and methodologies.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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Who is Bigger : GOD or Problems?

Two men went fishing. One was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn’t. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back.

The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. “Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?” he asked.

The inexperienced fisherman replied, “I only have a small frying pan.”

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us.

Our faith is too small.

We laugh at that fisherman who didn’t figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan, yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it’s a problem or a possibility,

God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle.

That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.

REMEMBER:

Stop telling God you’ve got big problems.
Tell your problems you’ve got a BIG GOD!


- Author Unknown

Make the most of TODAY!

Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course?

Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against "tomorrow."

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!

The clock is running!! Make the most of today.

To realise the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realise the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realise the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realise the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realise the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who just missed a train.

To realise the value of ONE SECOND, ask someone who just avoided an accident.

To realise the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. And remember time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present.

- Author Unknown
 Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Effectiveness = Confidence + Competence

By Richard Brody

How often have you personally, or have you observed someone else, discuss what it means to be effective, and why that is so important? While there is often more discussion about being effective than there is actual effectiveness, it is important for anyone interested in becoming a meaningful leader to understand the essential components and how one can address those and use them to get more done in a meaningful manner. The reality is that the two absolute necessities for someone to be effective is to begin with real confidence, and then combine that with absolute competence. The discussion must begin with agreement that how we impact those we serve in a relevant and sustainable way determines what effect we have on those that we assume to responsibility to lead in a meaningful manner. Basically, being a leader means never making excuses, or merely trying, but rather committing to, and achieving results (in other words, getting it done!).

1. How does confidence relate to this process? Far too many in positions of leadership often suffer from a condition commonly known as a paralysis of analysis. While reviewing, analyzing and understanding needs is central, unless someone has self - confidence and self - belief, they will permit their doubts to dominate them, and they will fear taking meaningful actions, often relying far more often on excuses or blaming others, and procrastinating when action needs to be taken. The adage that tells us that our perceptions and the way we conceive of things leads to the beliefs that dictate our achievements, is the central component of our inevitable results, and is essential for every leader or potential leader to comprehend.

2. Confidence alone, however, is the beginning, but not the end - all. However, when we begin with believing that we can, it potentiates our abilities to drive ourselves proactively. This behavior puts us in a mindset to admit that we need to learn on an ongoing basis, and dedicate ourselves to becoming better on a daily basis. In the final analysis, whether a leader will be effective depends on his competence, or ability to do what is needed to achieve. This competence is a combination of positive mindset that permits one to believe he can, a willingness to undergo training and learn from it, get the necessary relevant experience that will help create a transformation to expertise.

True leaders realize that they must conceive of what needs to be done (also known as having a vision), follow that up with perceiving how to do so (and creating goals that are combined with a well - formulated action plan), and then persist and persevere in order to achieve what needs to be done. True leaders must become effective and efficient.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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Why Common Sense May Be A Leader's Most Valuable Asset?

By Richard Brody

How many times have you said, or heard others say, that something doesn't make any sense, or that you should use some common sense? Fortunately, or probably unfortunately, common sense is generally almost anything but common practice! Effective leadership is about enhancing one's organization, and that neither means embracing the status quo (and avoiding any change), nor does it mean dismantling everything, reinventing the wheel, and making numerous changes (often apparently simply for change sake). Great leaders analyze what has been, what is, and what they believe should be, evaluating how things have been and are presently being done, and building on those things have proven effective by merely adapting them in an evolutionary manner, while simultaneously realizing that not everything may be worth maintaining and continuing. There is always a decision that must be made, which is making a choice between an evolutionary approach versus a more revolutionary one.

1. The evolutionary approach uses a step - by - step, gradual way of doing things. It requires a recognition that each group has some degree of heritage, and a large proportion of its constituents have an affinity and loyalty to that history and what it includes. However, it means that while one should recognize and honor the approach, the smart leader carefully and transparently explains and shows why there is the need to continuously adapt and evolve. In this way, loyal constituents feel included in the change, while much attention is paid to the vision and missions of the organization. Great leadership is about uniting others towards a common and meaningful vision, that drives an essential purpose and approach.

2. Revolutionary leadership is rarely the best way to proceed. It does not make much sense to throw the baby out with the bath water, and this approach often does so. When groups evolve and adapt, and the needs for this approach are carefully and transparently explained, organizations have their optimal opportunity to be sustainable.
It is never enough to simply proclaim that you want to use the evolutionary approach, but rather, it is only significant and/ or meaningful, when one realizes that this requires considerable vision and discipline. The most practical and true way to assure the direction moved in is a positive one, is to use a zero - based budget where needs and direction lead the agenda. While many would agree that this approach makes obvious common sense, we rarely actual see any of this implemented!

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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I am a Mom

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk ‘s office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. ”What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are you just a……?”
“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. ”I’m a Mom.”

“We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”
”What is your occupation?” she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
“I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
”Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.” Motherhood!


- Author Unknown
photo credit: Martin Gommel via photopin cc

Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what

 

I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.

 The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.

“That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.

“He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.’

“The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?’

“The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’

“The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ “Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.

He stated, “You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.”

Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.  He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.”

“Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.”

 

-   Author Unknown

photo credit: AlicePopkorn via photopin cc

God knows what He’s doing for each of us

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked “May we see that? We’ve never seen a cup quite so beautiful.”

      As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, “You don’t understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, “Don’t do that.” “I don’t like it!” “Let me alone,” but he only smiled, and gently said; “Not yet!”

      Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I’m getting so dizzy!

     “I’m going to be sick” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; ‘Not yet.’

     He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then ….. then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. “Help! Get me out of here!”

     I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, ‘Not yet’.

     When I thought I couldn’t bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! “Ah, this is much better,” I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Oh, please,Stop it, Stop, I cried.

     He only shook his head and said. ‘Not yet!’.

     Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering “What’s he going to do to me next?”

     An hour later he handed me a mirror and said ‘Look at yourself.’ And I did. I said, “That’s not me; that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful!”

     Quietly he spoke: “I want you to remember, then,’ he said, ‘I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never wo uld have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.”

     The moral of this story is this: God knows what He’s doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

     So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to “stink”, try this …. Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter!

 

- Author Unknown
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Are you listening, my friend? God may be speaking to you

 

     As a teacher of origami, Art Beaudry was asked to represent his school at an exhibit at a large mall in. He decided to take along a couple hundred folded paper cranes to pass out to people who stopped at his booth.

     Before that day, something strange happened — a voice told him to find a piece of gold foil paper and make a gold origami crane. The voice was so insistent that Art actually found himself rummaging through his collection of origami papers at home until he found one flat, shiny piece of gold foil.

     “Why am I doing this?” he asked himself. Art had never worked with the shiny gold paper; it didn’t fold as easily or neatly as the crisp multicolored papers. But that little voice kept nudging. Art tried to ignore the voice. “Why gold foil anyway? Paper is much easier to work with,” he grumbled.

     The voice continued. “Do it! And give it to a special person.” By now Art was getting a little cranky. “What special person?” he asked the voice. “You’ll know which one,” the voice said.

     That evening Art carefully folded and shaped the unforgiving gold foil until it became as graceful and delicate as a real crane about to take flight. He packed the exquisite crane in the box along with about 200 other colorful paper cranes he’d made over the previous few weeks.

     The next day at the mall, dozens upon dozens of people stopped by Art’s booth to ask questions about origami. He demonstrated the art. He folded, unfolded and refolded. He explained the intricate details, the need for sharp creases.

     Then, suddenly, there was a woman standing in front of Art. Was this that special person? Art had never seen her before, and she hadn’t said a word as she watched him carefully fold a pink piece of paper into a crane with pointed, graceful wings.

     Art glanced up at her face, and before he realized it, he found himself reaching for the gold-foil crane he’d labored over the night before. Carefully he picked up the gold crane, and gently placed it in the woman’s hand.

     Art said: “I don’t know why, but a voice told me to give you that golden crane. The crane is the ancient symbol of peace,” Art said simply.

     The woman didn’t say a word as she slowly cupped her hand around the fragile bird as if it were alive. When Art looked at her face, he saw tears filling her eyes.

     Finally, the woman took a deep breath and said, “My husband died three weeks ago. This is the first time I’ve been out. Today….” She wiped her eyes with her free hand, still gently cradling the golden crane with the other. Then she said very quietly, as  tears streamed down her face. “Today would have been our ‘golden’ wedding anniversary.”

     Then the lady said in a clear voice, “Thank you so much for this beautiful gift. Now I know that my husband is at peace.

     “Don’t you see? The voice you heard, it was the voice of God, and this beautiful crane is a gift from Him. It’s the most wonderful 50th wedding anniversary gift I could have received. Thank you for listening to Holy Spirit within your heart.”

     And that’s how Art learned to listen very carefully, when the Holy Spirit speaks to him within, and tells him to do things he may not understand — now or even later.

     Are you listening, my friend?   God may be speaking to you.

 

-Author Unknown

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Who I Am Makes a Difference

 

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, “Who I Am Makes a Difference.”

     Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

     One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, “We’re doing a class project on recognition, and we’d like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened.”

     Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, “Well, sure.” The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss’s jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, “Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people.”

     That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, “The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I’m a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says ‘Who I Am Makes A Difference’ on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you. “My days are really hectic and when I come home I don’t pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You’re a great kid and I love you!”

     The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn’t stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, “I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn’t think you loved me. Now I don’t need to.”

 

-Author Unknown

How GOD Gives us

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

 I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.

 I asked for prosperity and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.

 I asked for courage and God gave me danger to overcome.

 I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

 I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

 I received nothing I wanted and I received everything I needed.

 

-Author Unknown

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Certain Questions From GOD, What HE May Ask….

1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

4. God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

5. God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

6. God won’t ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

7. God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

8. God won’t ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

9. God won’t ask what your job title was, but will ask if you reformed your job to the best of your ability.

10. God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

11. God won’t ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

12. God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

13. God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

14. God won’t ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

15. God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t. 

- Author Unknown
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