1. "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."
Aristotle
2. "The only way to have a friend is to be one."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
3. "To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life;
to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings."
Anonymous
4. "To a friend’s house, the road is never long."
Danish Proverb
5. "One who looks for a friend without faults will have none."
Hasidic Saying
6. "Who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure."
Apocrypha Ben Sira 6 14
7. "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
8. "God send me a friend that will tell me of my faults."
Thomas Fuller
9. "The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is an accessible ear."
Maya Angelou
10. "If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do.
Think up something appropriate and do it."
Edgar Watson Howe
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Defeat
DEFEAT
“Being defeated is often only a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”
Marilyn vos Savant said these words.
If it matters, don’t give up.
As long as you keep trying, there is no defeat and there are no losers.
“Being defeated is often only a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”
Marilyn vos Savant said these words.
If it matters, don’t give up.
As long as you keep trying, there is no defeat and there are no losers.
Nature
NATURE
Nature is pretty awesome. Unfortunately, most people are stuck incities. This comes in handy when considering the distance to the office, the school, the grocery store and so many other daily activities. But it sure makes it hard to sit in front of a waterfall or scan the horizon from a cliff, you know, the really important things in life.
Even out here in farm country we have an amazing shortage of waterfalls and cliffs. But we do have magazines and we do have the Internet and we can view the most awesome waterfalls and the most amazing panoramas as often as we wish.
You check your weight daily.
You check the stock market daily.
You check your horoscope daily.
Well, what about nature?
Nature is pretty awesome. Unfortunately, most people are stuck incities. This comes in handy when considering the distance to the office, the school, the grocery store and so many other daily activities. But it sure makes it hard to sit in front of a waterfall or scan the horizon from a cliff, you know, the really important things in life.
Even out here in farm country we have an amazing shortage of waterfalls and cliffs. But we do have magazines and we do have the Internet and we can view the most awesome waterfalls and the most amazing panoramas as often as we wish.
You check your weight daily.
You check the stock market daily.
You check your horoscope daily.
Well, what about nature?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pygmalion Effect
It’s called the Pygmalion Effect:
you get what you expect, and lucky people expect the best. They are certain that their future is going to be full of good fortune. And these expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Ask around and you’ll find that “lucky” and “unlucky” people have astoundingly different expectations.
you get what you expect, and lucky people expect the best. They are certain that their future is going to be full of good fortune. And these expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Ask around and you’ll find that “lucky” and “unlucky” people have astoundingly different expectations.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Where is MY Prince Charming?
Why can't love in real life be as simple as meeting at the top of the empire state building, or finding your perfect match through a series of email correspondence and coffee shop meetings?
How come Hollywood places so much emphasis on "true" and "perfect" love that there isn't a single guy out there who is good enough, besides your beloved "Prince Charming?" We play dress-up watching Sleeping Beauty and Snow White find their perfect love; We grow into adulthood idolizing the love and bond shared between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, believing in the innocent passion displayed by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere; Only to be rudely awakened to the fact that we are merely human, and that love is not created equal nor is it even close to being perfect.
Is there really a "perfect match" out there for everyone? That someone, your true "prince charming" to show you the waterfall of never-ending love that you know exists inside your soul, but can never find? Does that person truly exist?
Why do we constantly compare our lives to those of fictional characters portrayed in the movies? No matter how many times I tell myself that mt life is not a movie, every so often I still catch myself wondering "what if I was a bit more like Meg Ryan in that movie..."
So.... to that burning eternal question....
Where is MY "prince charming" who dresses as svelte as the tux clad Richard Gere at the end of 'Runaway Bride'??
How come Hollywood places so much emphasis on "true" and "perfect" love that there isn't a single guy out there who is good enough, besides your beloved "Prince Charming?" We play dress-up watching Sleeping Beauty and Snow White find their perfect love; We grow into adulthood idolizing the love and bond shared between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, believing in the innocent passion displayed by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere; Only to be rudely awakened to the fact that we are merely human, and that love is not created equal nor is it even close to being perfect.
Is there really a "perfect match" out there for everyone? That someone, your true "prince charming" to show you the waterfall of never-ending love that you know exists inside your soul, but can never find? Does that person truly exist?
Why do we constantly compare our lives to those of fictional characters portrayed in the movies? No matter how many times I tell myself that mt life is not a movie, every so often I still catch myself wondering "what if I was a bit more like Meg Ryan in that movie..."
So.... to that burning eternal question....
Where is MY "prince charming" who dresses as svelte as the tux clad Richard Gere at the end of 'Runaway Bride'??
Imagination
IMAGINATION
Sink your toes into those magic slippers.
Now click your heals three times and repeat after me:
"There's no place like…Tahiti!" or
"There's no place like an underground cavern."
Where does your imagination want to take you? Where would you love to be? You don't need a fortune. You don't need special effects. You just need an imagination. Wherever you want to go, it's just as far as your mind can conceive. And no farther than your magic slippers.
Sink your toes into those magic slippers.
Now click your heals three times and repeat after me:
"There's no place like…Tahiti!" or
"There's no place like an underground cavern."
Where does your imagination want to take you? Where would you love to be? You don't need a fortune. You don't need special effects. You just need an imagination. Wherever you want to go, it's just as far as your mind can conceive. And no farther than your magic slippers.
Today
Today is right where you need to be.
It is where you need to be, to get you to where you are going tomorrow,
and tomorrow will be better then any day before.
Live life for yourself, be true to yourself, and everything you deserve will fall into place.
It is where you need to be, to get you to where you are going tomorrow,
and tomorrow will be better then any day before.
Live life for yourself, be true to yourself, and everything you deserve will fall into place.
Doing
DOING
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
This is not the first time I quote Confucius. His wisdom is undeniable. He compels us here to take action, not just to listen or to watch. If you want to learn new information, make changes in your personality or change something in your life, nothing beats action.
So get off that chair…
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
This is not the first time I quote Confucius. His wisdom is undeniable. He compels us here to take action, not just to listen or to watch. If you want to learn new information, make changes in your personality or change something in your life, nothing beats action.
So get off that chair…
You
YOU
What makes you you? How do you know you are not someone else, or even several other people. Each of us is different, but our identity is how we see ourselves. It is a unique combination of values and characteristics that is very similar to many other people, but not the same.
For instance, I am a sister, a nature lover, a citizen of the world, a blogger and stubborn.
There might be several others out there who share all these attributes, but my unique identity also includes hundreds or thousands of other attributes, and in most cases those attributes are not identical anyway. For instance, I love to hike and I like to camp, but another nature lover might prefer bird-watching.
Our identity is not just in what characteristics we have but also in how we value each one.
Our self-identity involves what we see as important and as key to whowe are. For instance, my self-identity does not include being stubborn. I know I am, but that's just not part of my vision of whoI am and who I want to be.What is your self-identity.
If you are challenged with self-esteem issues, it is important to define your self-image and self-identity so that you can revisit that identity in moments of weakness.
Be who you are and know who you are.
What makes you you? How do you know you are not someone else, or even several other people. Each of us is different, but our identity is how we see ourselves. It is a unique combination of values and characteristics that is very similar to many other people, but not the same.
For instance, I am a sister, a nature lover, a citizen of the world, a blogger and stubborn.
There might be several others out there who share all these attributes, but my unique identity also includes hundreds or thousands of other attributes, and in most cases those attributes are not identical anyway. For instance, I love to hike and I like to camp, but another nature lover might prefer bird-watching.
Our identity is not just in what characteristics we have but also in how we value each one.
Our self-identity involves what we see as important and as key to whowe are. For instance, my self-identity does not include being stubborn. I know I am, but that's just not part of my vision of whoI am and who I want to be.What is your self-identity.
If you are challenged with self-esteem issues, it is important to define your self-image and self-identity so that you can revisit that identity in moments of weakness.
Be who you are and know who you are.
Attitude
ATTITUDE
"Attitude determines altitude."
I am not quite sure who is the original author of this, but I know I have heard it from plenty of different motivational gurus. It isusually used to convey the message that if you want to get ahead, to become successful, you have to have a positive I-can-do-it attitude.
But I read so much more into it. After all "success" is not the only altitude there is. If you want to rise up and be the best person you can be, someone others can admire for truly worthy reason, a person you yourself can admire, adopt a sharing and caring attitude.
When we share with other people and care for other people, were rise above the daily din.
We personify the highest ideals. And no amount of "success" as measured by dollars or titles can equal suchreal-life stature.
So let's all check our attitude for sharing and caring.
"Attitude determines altitude."
I am not quite sure who is the original author of this, but I know I have heard it from plenty of different motivational gurus. It isusually used to convey the message that if you want to get ahead, to become successful, you have to have a positive I-can-do-it attitude.
But I read so much more into it. After all "success" is not the only altitude there is. If you want to rise up and be the best person you can be, someone others can admire for truly worthy reason, a person you yourself can admire, adopt a sharing and caring attitude.
When we share with other people and care for other people, were rise above the daily din.
We personify the highest ideals. And no amount of "success" as measured by dollars or titles can equal suchreal-life stature.
So let's all check our attitude for sharing and caring.
Responsibility
RESPONSIBILITY
What does this word mean, anyway?
Response ability. When we ask, "Just who is responsible for thismess?" The question is really "Who is response able for thismess?"
When you are asked to assume responsibility for something, it mightsome like a completely different thing than being expected to take responsibility for something. But the bottom line is that the question is all about who is able to respond.
Try taking responsibility as often as possible.
Responsibility is not about blame (That is a whole different matter, so separate all notion
of blame from taking responsibility).
Responsibility is about empowerment.
What does this word mean, anyway?
Response ability. When we ask, "Just who is responsible for thismess?" The question is really "Who is response able for thismess?"
When you are asked to assume responsibility for something, it mightsome like a completely different thing than being expected to take responsibility for something. But the bottom line is that the question is all about who is able to respond.
Try taking responsibility as often as possible.
Responsibility is not about blame (That is a whole different matter, so separate all notion
of blame from taking responsibility).
Responsibility is about empowerment.
Celebration
CELEBRATION
Happiness is…a parade.
A parade is a celebration. Everyone is marching along, displayingtheir happiness and their joy. It's a great feeling forparticipants. It's a great feeling for spectators.
We all need some celebration, the chance to turn ordinary lives intothe extraordinary. Ordinary is good. I think we all need to begrounded in the security of the ordinary. Extraordinary is good, too. We all need to know that this is a wonderful life, that we havesomething worth celebrating.
Any even the ordinary is very worth celebrating.
Happiness is…a parade.
A parade is a celebration. Everyone is marching along, displayingtheir happiness and their joy. It's a great feeling forparticipants. It's a great feeling for spectators.
We all need some celebration, the chance to turn ordinary lives intothe extraordinary. Ordinary is good. I think we all need to begrounded in the security of the ordinary. Extraordinary is good, too. We all need to know that this is a wonderful life, that we havesomething worth celebrating.
Any even the ordinary is very worth celebrating.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A definition I live by...
sparkle (spar' kel) 1. to glitter 2. to throw off sparks of fire 3. to effervesce 4. brilliance
How you ask do you live by the definition 'Sparkle' ??
Well,
I try to "effervesce" patience, understanding, and happiness wherever I am, no matter what I'm feeling. If I can demonstrate patience while waiting in a long frustrating line, maybe it will rub off on the person behind me. If I can spread understanding through trying and difficult situations, maybe it will show someone else that they can too. If I can constance spill my happiness wherever I go, maybe, just maybe someone else will step in it and take it with them.
I try to "throw" around friendship and catch as many people as possible. There are lots of different types of friends, some are friends only once while waiting at a bus stop, some are friends who see each other and chat regularly at work, some are friends who become "best friends" and are there for each other through everything. There are even friends who don't see each other for years at a time, but fall right back into place each time they meet. Everyone needs a friend, or lots and lots of friends. You won't ever know who really needs one until you try to be one.
I try to "glitter" smiles as though they are confetti. Smiles are something intangible that someone might hold onto in their heart forever. Smiles don't cost anything to give, yet they might mean the world to someone who is having a terrible day.
"Brilliance" is what you feel when you take the time and make the little effort to truly share your sparkle. It's not a smart type of brilliant, but it's the radiant glow you emit from having a warm happiness bottled inside you.
Try it, it's definitely worth the work.
Live
Live each day as you would climb a mountain...
Climb slowly, steadily;
Enjoy each passing moment...
and the view from the summit
will serve as a fitting
climax for the journey.
Harold V. Melchert
Silliness
SILLINESS
Stick out your tongue. Make a funny face. Now make a silly sound. Bend down at look at the word upside down.
It's OK to act silly. No, that's not right. It is required to be silly, especially if you are an overly serious person. Silliness and playfulness helps us round ourselves out. It helps us control our stress. It helps us avoid letting little things get us down in a big way. And most adults don't get silly or playful often enough. Thank God for kids.
But not everybody has kids, and those people still need to get silly. So find a way to create your own silliness.
Stick out your tongue. Make a funny face. Now make a silly sound. Bend down at look at the word upside down.
It's OK to act silly. No, that's not right. It is required to be silly, especially if you are an overly serious person. Silliness and playfulness helps us round ourselves out. It helps us control our stress. It helps us avoid letting little things get us down in a big way. And most adults don't get silly or playful often enough. Thank God for kids.
But not everybody has kids, and those people still need to get silly. So find a way to create your own silliness.
Smile
SMILE
How do you answer the phone. Honestly, do you drone some dull routine without thinking whether the caller can understand what you are mumbling? Or do you answer like it was an old friend calling (because it could be an old friend calling, you know).
If you smile into the phone, people will hear your smile. If you drone into the phone, people will hear your disinterest.
Want to spread a little joy?
Smile when you answer the phone.
How do you answer the phone. Honestly, do you drone some dull routine without thinking whether the caller can understand what you are mumbling? Or do you answer like it was an old friend calling (because it could be an old friend calling, you know).
If you smile into the phone, people will hear your smile. If you drone into the phone, people will hear your disinterest.
Want to spread a little joy?
Smile when you answer the phone.
Song
SONG
"I hope that something better comes along."
I can hear the song playing in the living room, and I can't help but thinking that for many people, this is theme song. They go through life, or through part of their life, hoping that something better comes along. But people who spend their time hoping for something better to come along rarely recognize that something when it does happen buy; they are too busy hoping.
So what's your theme song?
Peace of mind?
Man in motion?
Swing on a star?
La Bamba?
Living out loud?
"I hope that something better comes along."
I can hear the song playing in the living room, and I can't help but thinking that for many people, this is theme song. They go through life, or through part of their life, hoping that something better comes along. But people who spend their time hoping for something better to come along rarely recognize that something when it does happen buy; they are too busy hoping.
So what's your theme song?
Peace of mind?
Man in motion?
Swing on a star?
La Bamba?
Living out loud?
Relationships
RELATIONSHIPS
Fragile. Handle with care.
Yes, that's the sign on every one of our relationships. Our friends. Our partners. Our colleagues.
Relationships are fragile, as misunderstandings and bruised egos can easily break them. The just the lack of handling with care can signal to somebody that you do not care (no surprise there!) and call into question the value of the relationship.
Show you care. That's the top job in any relationship. Say it. Show it. Do it.
Fragile. Handle with care.
Yes, that's the sign on every one of our relationships. Our friends. Our partners. Our colleagues.
Relationships are fragile, as misunderstandings and bruised egos can easily break them. The just the lack of handling with care can signal to somebody that you do not care (no surprise there!) and call into question the value of the relationship.
Show you care. That's the top job in any relationship. Say it. Show it. Do it.
Appreciation
APPRECIATION
I read this in front of church recently:
"Having trouble sleeping? Try counting your blessings."
It's true. If you count your blessings, suddenly everything is a little easier to bear. Suddenly everything is a little less stressful. Suddenly you have a little more strength to face your challenges. And, of course, we all sleep best when our joys are many and our worries are few.
I read this in front of church recently:
"Having trouble sleeping? Try counting your blessings."
It's true. If you count your blessings, suddenly everything is a little easier to bear. Suddenly everything is a little less stressful. Suddenly you have a little more strength to face your challenges. And, of course, we all sleep best when our joys are many and our worries are few.
Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Politeness
POLITENESS
Please think "sandwich".
Like every good sandwich, our interactions with others are often best begun with the word "please", then once they are completed, they should end with the word "thank you".
Politeness is about showing people you respect them, even if you disagree with them or are not fond of them.
But we are adults. We don't need reminding to say "please" and "thank you", do we? You bet we do.
Thank you.
Please think "sandwich".
Like every good sandwich, our interactions with others are often best begun with the word "please", then once they are completed, they should end with the word "thank you".
Politeness is about showing people you respect them, even if you disagree with them or are not fond of them.
But we are adults. We don't need reminding to say "please" and "thank you", do we? You bet we do.
Thank you.
Confidence
CONFIDENCE
Who's putting you down?
If it's someone else, it really doesn't matter. Your own self-confidence will ride it out. Anything others send your way will just roll off your back.
But if it's you who's putting you down...you have immense power. You can make yourself feel incredibly small.
And you don't even need any help. But there is no reason. Like everybody else, you have both strengths and weaknesses and you should have confidence to follow both, eager for success, aware of failure and ready to face both, knowing that they are both steps on any journey.
Don't let the person closest to you hold you back.
Who's putting you down?
If it's someone else, it really doesn't matter. Your own self-confidence will ride it out. Anything others send your way will just roll off your back.
But if it's you who's putting you down...you have immense power. You can make yourself feel incredibly small.
And you don't even need any help. But there is no reason. Like everybody else, you have both strengths and weaknesses and you should have confidence to follow both, eager for success, aware of failure and ready to face both, knowing that they are both steps on any journey.
Don't let the person closest to you hold you back.
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