To See Me

For so long…looking into the mirror
I saw only a reflection of an image,
a stranger looking back at me.

When looking into my eyes,
I saw only an emptiness, a void.

Beneath those eyes were many fears,
fears of pain,
fears of sorrow,
feelings of no hope.

How could I not know this face before me,
as I stood looking at the image in the mirror?

Where was this person that I used to be,
why couldn’t I see?

Turning again looking into the mirror,
I saw my life,
one that had gone out
like a candle being extinguished.

All my pride,
my joy,
my hopes,
my desires,
my passion,
all was gone.

What reflected back from that mirror
was a stranger looking back at me.

Standing there feeling so alone,
lost and confused,
the fear set in, where was this person
I called ME?

Walking away from that image,
never wanting to look again,
my life continued on.

Over time I found myself looking in
that mirror again.
Yet this time when I looked,
what reflected back to me
was a face, my face,
my eyes filled with hope,
a burning love,
a pride of being me,
a passion for living.
No longer a darkness did I see,
for out of my eyes a light was shining,
a reflection of ME!

For you see
I was no longer a stranger
to Me!

Yet there still is that pain deep within,
that pain has taken on
a new meaning in my life.

Through the tears
and
countless hours of feeling alone,
those hours I screamed out and no one heard
slowly through that pain and confusion
emerged the real me.

It took all those disappointments and life hurts
to make me stop
and look at the real Me!!

No longer am I just an image in a mirror
I am a reflection of my life,
those hurts,
those joys,
that hope,
that burning passion,
that endless love.

I see now the true image
the image of Me!

~Deb Montgomery

Anyway

Anyway
Poet: Unknown

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway!

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway!

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway!

The good you do today, will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway!

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway!

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds;
Think big anyway!

People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.
Fight for underdogs anyway!

What you spend years building up may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway!

People really need help, but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway!

Give the world the best you have and it may kick you in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!

See It Through

by Edgar A. Guest

When you’re up against a trouble, Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace. When it’s vain to try to dodge it, Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer, See it through! Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim, But don’t let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worst is bound to happen, Spite of all that you can do, Running from it will not save you, See it through! Even hope may seem but futile, When with troubles you’re beset, But remember you are facing Just what other men have met. You may fail, but fall still fighting; Don’t give up, whate’er you do; Eyes front, head high to the finish. See it through!

Change The Days

Change The Days

By: Burton Seligman        

Change the days and the countless ways, we run ourselves through this maze.

The passing lights left behind, the countless thoughts we can’t unwind.

From the minutes,

To the hours and days,

Fighting the anguish in living this way.

The moments that slip between our fingers,

Never taking hold,

The regrets we will have when we are old.

Change the days,

That confront the last,

Don’t let the dreams run past.

The ones take our time away,

The ones that left us feeling astray,

The people we loved,

But never cared to say.

The things we’ve done,

But would never share,

The moments that were beautiful,

But we were never there.

Change the days,

From old to new,

From sour to sweet,

From them to you.

Change the days,

Let your ears hear your heart beat.

Let positivity move your feet.

Don’t race,

Slow it down,

To hear the silence in a noisy town.

To change the days,

Is really a choice,

Just listen to your internal voice.

I Can!

 

I CAN?
By Unknown

Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve. Dream great dreams and make them come true. Do it now! 

You are unique. In all the history of the world there was never anyone else exactly like you, and in all the infinity to come there will never be another you. Never affirm self-limitations. What you believe yourself to be, you are.

To accomplish great things, you must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost – put foundations under them. Yes you can. Believing is magic, you can always better your best. You don’t know what you can do until you try.

Nothing will come of nothing. If you don’t go out on a limb, you’re never going to get the fruit. There is no failure except in no longer trying. Hazy goals produce hazy results. Clearly define your goals. Write them down, make a plan for achieving them, set a deadline, visualize the results and go after them. Just don’t look back unless you want to go that way.

Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don’t succeed, try another way. For every obstacle there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest mistake is giving up. Wishing will not bring success, but planning, persistence and burning desire will.

There is a gold mine within you from which you can extract all the necessary ingredients. Success is an attitude. Get yours right. It is astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen.

I CAN!

Rise Above The Crowd

Rise Above The Crowd

The world is full of people,      

Content to be what they are
Who never know the joy of success;
They lack the will to go that far.

Yet in this world there is a need,
For some to lead the rest
To rise above the average life,
By giving of their best.

Are you the one who dares,
To try when challenged by the task
To rise to heights you’ve never dreamed,
Or is that too much to ask?

This can be your year,
For great purpose to achieve
If you accept the challenge,
And in yourself believe.

Author Unknown

The Gift

THE GIFT

By an unknown soldier stationed in Okinawa, Japan

T’was the night before Christmas      

He lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of

Plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney

With presents to give,

And to see just who

In this home did live.

I looked all about,

A strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents,

Not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,

Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures

Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,

Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought

Came through my mind.

For this was different,

It was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a soldier,

Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,

Silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor

In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,

The room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured

A United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families

That I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers

Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,

The children would play,

And grownups would celebrate

A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom

Each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers,

Like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder

How many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve

In a land far from home.

The very thought

Brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees

And started to cry.

The soldier awakened

And I heard a rough voice,

“Santa don’t cry,

This life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,

I don’t ask for more,

My life is my God,

My Country, My Corps.”

The soldier rolled over

And soon drifted to sleep,

I couldn’t control it,

I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,

So silent and still

And we both shivered

From the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave

On that cold, dark, night,

This Guardian of Honor

So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,

With a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, “Carry on Santa,

It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

“Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”

Why Not You?

Why Not You?
By Steve Maraboli    

 

Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration. Why not you?

Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today. Why not you?

Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you?

Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment. Why not you?

Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits. Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness. Why not you?

Today, many will find abundance in simplicity. Why not you?

Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial. Why not you?

Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes. Why not you?

Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference. Why not you?

Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, & so much more. Why not you?

Today is a new day!

Many will seize this day.

Many will live it to the fullest.

Why not you?

Door To Decision

Door To Decision

by Robson Grant

 

We come from a turbulent past                                                                            
To an info-age moving way to fast
The fate of these lands
Is now placed in our hands

Will we bring destruction to an end
Will we have the power to mend
Save this fragile dreamland
Wash away our footprints in the sand

Global warming is causing weather changes right before our eyes
But we still blacken our skies
Sunrays take less time to burn our faces
But we still destroy our rain forests and just leave empty spaces

The men spill out of the factories everywhere
Punching their time clocks basically unaware
Don’t realize what’s happening to the big picture
The massive devastation of the atmospheric mixture

Every day go through their daily motions
Waiting it out for measly promotions
Distant stares and silent prayers
Monday to Friday . . . say goodbye

Our oceans are slicked with oil spills
Our waterways full of toxic waste that kills
We build our cities on mountains of pollution
Without an environmental solution

We live our lives in search of wealth
In the process damage our good health
Crime stories are found on every newspaper page
People loosing control in an uncertain age

The victims of greed are getting younger
In a world that still allows their hunger
Our petty problems make us hang down our heads
While million’s go unfed

Desire unfolds the light of our day
But we cannot give in to the subtle decay
We must rise above the haze descending
Toward mass action mending

We must take control of our actions today
or the children of tomorrow will be the one’s to pay
The new innkeepers shall soon take charge
of the next generation’s voyage at large

Trends are patterned and patterns trended
But man’s damage must be ended!

Light Of The Storm

Light of the Storm
When The Storms Of Life Are Raging,
and the clouds are all around,
and you think your all alone,
just take a look around.

When there is no one there to talk to
and you’re feeling sad and blue
and you think no one will listen,
I’ll be the light in the storm for you.

Even though we’ve never met,
or heard each others voice,
Our friendship is from the heart, not sight,
And it can span the miles.

We are all one winged angels,
it makes it impossible to fly,
But if we embrace each other,
we can span the sky.

The next time you’re feeling lonely,
and the storms are beating you down,
just come online and find me,
and I will take away your frown.

Author Unknown

 

Another Chance

How often we wish for another chance
to make a fresh beginning.
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning.
It does not take a new day
To make a brand new start,
It only takes a deep desire
To try with all our heart.
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little sunshine
To the world in which we’re living.
So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there’s always a tomorrow
And the hope of starting new.

by Helen Steiner Rice

Three Things You Can Try To Relieve Stress

We live in a fast-paced, relentless world. People just have too much in their hands and they lose sight of some of those things which are somewhat important to their well-being. As a matter of fact, stress management tips are fast becoming something we constantly look for when we do get some time. That is because most of us simply do not have the luxury of time we need in managing pressure like we should. So we all need to learn how to relieve stress at least just a little bit better. In learning how to relieve being stressed, first, you have to analyze or examine your lifestyle.

Determine if there are some things that you are doing which could be counterproductive to what you want to achieve in your life. In order to do this, you can take a breather and take a look at all that is taking place in your daily activities. Do you often find yourself worrying and stressing about things that actually do not give any benefit to your life? Or do you often work very long hours in the office? Examine your life and activities first for your initial steps on how to relieve stress. After examination, you can then consider the physical effects of being stressed.

Do you always find yourself forgetting some things? Do you often find yourself skipping your meals, eating junk food rather than healthy food and not getting adequate exercise? Or worse, no exercise at all? Do you already possess some signs of aging although you are much so young to have them? These are just some of the physical signs or effects of being stressed. To learn more on how to relieve stressful moments, you need to take note on what it is that you are doing to your body.

3 Quick Methods to Relieve Stress:

1. Say no to only one thing once a week. Try not to volunteer for something and tell those abusing you or taking advantage of your time to take a hike. If you think you have simply too much of anything which you can’t take, just say no. You have to worry about yourself first.

2. Allot even just an hour for a day or 4 hours twice a week for time or moment just for you. During this period, make this your relaxing time. Do not do some work for your job. Or do not work around your house or spend time thinking or worrying—just relax.

3. Rejuvenate Your Spirit. It always helps to take a break once in a while. The most important part of this is knowing when and how to do this. And while there are different aids to help you learn this, implementing it can only come from an experiential realization that there is only so much stress your body can take.

These stress management hints are sure effective ways for you to start taking care of yourself and well-being. Just by looking at those harmful effects of being stressed and you’re sure to see why knowing and implementing how to relieve stress is a very crucial component of your health and wellness. Find an outlet to just dwell, think and be grateful. Exercise and look into food supplements that will make a difference in your body and mind and relieve the stress so you can lead a healthy, productive life.

How to Fire Up Your Motivation to Achieve Your Goals

 

So, we have started the New Year with promise and optimism. We have set goals, made plans, defined our resolutions and then, we wait. Where do we stand with all of these plans we have made? Would it surprise you that large statistics of people have already given up on their plans, goals and resolutions and we have barely started the year? Are there times in your life when you really want to call it “quits” because you just cannot see any results from all the plans you have made and the goals you have set for yourself?

So what are we to do at times like these? How do we cope?

Never ever think of giving up. Winners never quit and quitters never win as the old saying goes. Take all negative words out of your mental dictionary and be aware of what you are saying at all times, and focus on the solutions with utmost conviction and patience.

The battle is never lost until you’ve abandoned your vision.

But what if you’re really exhausted physically, mentally, and most of all emotionally? Here are some sources of motivation to prompt and assist you in reaching the peak of accomplishment.

1 – The Overwhelming Feeling Of Attaining Your Desired Goals

How did you feel when you set your goals? You were probably energized and determined. We always start the year with excitement of the challenge? The feeling of a fresh start with fresh goals invigorates us. When doubt enters your mind just stay the course. Never give up and do not get sidetracked by well-meaning friends or peers that may want to lead you astray.

2 – The Reward System – Make It Real And True To Your Goals

How would you feel if you’ve entered a contest, but there are no prizes for the winners? It’s not very encouraging, is it? The same principles apply to your vision. Reward yourself after accomplishing a goal. Set a particular incentive for every objective. Start out with small milestones and goals if this is new to you and work your way up.

Let’s say if you’ve achieved a particular task, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite restaurant. When you’ve finished a bigger task, you’ll go on a vacation. Got the idea? Just set something gratifying to indulge in after completing a certain undertaking that is directly related to you most important goals.

3 – The Powerful Force Of Humanity

If you want to succeed, surround yourself with the right kind of people who will support and encourage you all the way. Be with people who have the same beliefs and aspirations as yours. Positive aura is generated by this fusion of collective energy from people of “like minds.”

On the contrary, being with people who oppose your ways of thinking may trigger a negative, yet very powerful, kind of motivation. Has anyone ever said to you that “You’ll never be a success?” or “Don’t waste your time, that goal can never be reached.” Didn’t it make you furious and determined enough to prove to them how wrong they were? This is what I’m talking about.

When aggravated, you will do anything to make those who are against you swallow their words. But of course, you’re primary focus should be on the accomplishment of your goal and not for the purpose of revenge. Of course to be surrounded by positive people that support your goals may only be a fantasy. There are always those who will try to detour your path. But no matter what, never let your emotions toward others alter your main objective.

4 – Take Care Of Your Health

Exercise regularly. Fill your brains with enough oxygen to allow you to do your daily tasks with more vigor and energy. Take regular breaks if time allows. Having the will power to continue despite all hardships is extremely important, but you should still know your limits.

If you don’t get enough rest, you will not be able to think clearly and you will not be able to do your tasks properly. In the process, you will just get more frustrated. Take the time to get sufficient sleep and recharge yourself after a hard day’s work. Never, ever ignore your health.

It’s not worth it. Success and money won’t matter if you don’t have good health to enjoy it.

Fire up your motivation and live life to the fullest! You can do this; keep your focus on what you value most. Let nothing take you off your course. Know deep down inside you can and will walk away with all the success, happiness and prosperity you deserve.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Henry David Thoreau

New Time

New Time

by Marvin Phythian

 

The time is new so let’s begin,                            

A time for challenges, a time to win,

So let’s ignore the doom and gloom,

And tell ourselves it’s time to bloom.

Time to develop, time to grow,

A time for new records so don’t be slow,

A time to work hard, a time to be kind.

And for your reward, peace of mind.

 

Think not what your country is doing for you,

But do it yourself,  see what you can do.

A time to swim and not to sink,

A time to be strong and not to shrink,

And  when your progress is bluntly checked,

It’s time to be patient,  maintain respect.

For family, friends, your planet and nation,

It’s time for yourself so man your station.

 

By helping ourselves we help each other.

Take action yourself, resist the big brother.

Everyone can achieve and put something back.

But time is so short so let’s get on track.

Reinvent yourself; move on from the past,

The sands of time are moving fast,

So write down your aims, your targets and goals,

Lets’ save ourselves, let’s save our souls.

 

It’s time to start so in yourself invest.

It’s time for you to be your best.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have
everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be
to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,           
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
Because it means you’ve made an effort.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those
who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they will become your blessings.

Unknown

Just One

Just One
Unknown

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One hand clasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,   
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

My Comfort Zone
Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone                      
where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

Promise Yourself

Promise Yourself       

The Optimist Creed

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.  

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel like there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living person you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Vacation is Here!

Have a great summer. On vacation for a few weeks. Enjoy!

You Have The Right

“You have the right to be you – the way you want to be.

You have the right to grow, to change, to become, to strive, to reach for any goal… to be limited only by your degree of talent and amount of effort.

You have the right to privacy; in marriage, family, or any relationship or group – the right to keep a part of your life secret, no matter how trivial or important, merely because you want it to be that way. You have the right to be alone part of each day, each week and each year to spend time with and on yourself.

You have the right to be loved and to love, to be accepted, cared for, and adored, and you have the right to fulfill that right.

You have the right to ask questions of anyone at any time in any matter that affects your life, so long as it is your business to do so; and to be listened to and taken seriously.

You have the right to self – respect and to do everything you need to do to increase your self esteem, so long as you hurt no one in doing so.

You have the right to be happy, to find something in the world that is meaningful and rewarding to you and that gives you a sense of completeness.

You have the right to be trusted and to trust and to be taken at your word. If you are wrong, you have the right to be given a chance to make good if possible.

You have the right to change your mind.

You have the right to be free as long as you act responsibly and are mindful of the rights of others and of those obligations that you entered into freely.

You have the right to win, to succeed, to compete, to make plans, to see those plans fulfilled… to become the best you can possibly become.

You have a right to boundaries and limits, a right to be intentional, a right to choice.”

Unknown

Change Your Thinking

By Changing Your Thinking
By Unknown

By Changing Your Thinking,
You change your beliefs;

When you change your beliefs,
You change your expectations;

When you change your expectations,
You change your attitude;

When you change your attitude,
You change your behavior;

When you change your behavior,
You change your performance;

When you change your performance;
You Change Your Life!

Freedom in America

Freedom in America 

Freedom in America
Isn’t really free;
We often pay a price
To keep our liberty.

Remember those we loved,
Who fought for us, and died;
And those we never knew
For whom others mourned and cried.

At home our “war” for freedom
Is sadly overdue;
We’ve let corruption stage
A sad and grievous coup.

No longer can we brush off
Dishonesty and greed,
Lust for wealth and power;
We can’t, we won’t concede.

Complacency is weakness
Patriots can’t afford;
We have to act on wrongs
That cannot be ignored.

We must give up some time,
Spent on other pleasures,
To restore America’s freedom,
To keep America’s treasures.

Money spent on trifles
Must now go to our cause:
Get rid of the offenders,
Constitutional outlaws.

Freedom in America
Isn’t really free
It’s up to American patriots;
It’s up to you and me.

By Joanna Fuchs

Become a Positive Sponge

In today’s media cycle there is an overwhelming imbalance in terms of the number of positive messages that are emanating from mainstream media relative to negative messages we hear every day.

In today’s more challenging environment the explosion of doom and gloom is simply unparalleled, and to be newsworthy or to get air time or to be in print, it must be negative.

Now, I am not expecting to see media outlets to suddenly flood us with good news; I believe we just need some balance. This proliferation of negativity has induced fear into many people’s psyche and certainly altered their view of reality.

Unfortunately, despite all of the opportunities that are before us, we live in fear. That fear grips us until we are afraid to try, afraid to think big or explore the doors that are open to us. We stare at the closed doors telling ourselves we cannot do what we would like or need to do, and we feel boxed in and suffocate the creativity we were born with. Negativity and fear robs our lives of vitality until we reach the point that we just do not try anymore.

So it’s time to take action and become the guardian to your mind.

We need to become the gatekeepers to our minds and allow in only positive and constructive information. Delete the mind numbing negativity at its source and actively go out of our way to save ourselves from its onslaught.

Our subconscious acts like a computer so “garbage in, garbage out”. Some calculate that about 60,000 thoughts zip through our minds on a daily basis – 90% of those are the same thoughts as the previous day. Obviously, if we continue with the same thought process we can expect the same results. We can’t be negative! It is time to fill our minds with positive thoughts and create positive changes in our lives.

Start today and be a positive sponge. What a difference it will make!

“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”

Jamie Paolinetti

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!

 Donna Levine

There is inside you
All of the potential
To be whatever you want to be;
All of the energy
To do whatever you want to do.
Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
Doing what you want to do,
And each day, take one step
Towards your dream.
And though at times it may seem too
difficult to continue,
Hold on to your dream.
One morning you will awake to find
That you are the person you dreamed of,
Doing what you wanted to do,
Simply because you had the courage
To believe in your potential
And to hold on to your dream.

The Man On The Bench

The man on the bench is the man for me
He’s not the star, but he’s the key .
Without his aid and help each day,
I doubt if there would be a play.
Every run by a team on “big game” day
He holds the dummy and shows the way when
The other team runs that certain play.

When not being clocked, he’s chasing punts.
Or shagging fly balls, and fielding bunts,
Or a hundred and one other useful stunts.
He’s always the “skins” against the “shirts”,
And the night of the game he sits and hurts,

He helps with equipment, and picks up balls.
Sets up the hurdles, and takes the falls,
But is always ready when some coach calls.
He’s not on the sports page every time
When a “dollar” is waiting, he’s the “dime”
He comes to the banquet with a little prayer,
Hoping this year the “letter” is there.

As he squirms wishfully in his chair.
And he suffers a little along with his coach,
As the names are read and no approach
Is made to him there is a wrench
In his heart. But his teeth will clench,
As he says, “next year”, this man on the bench.

What happens to all the men like these.
Who seem, all elbows, thumbs, and knees.
Don’t feel sorry for their frustrations,
They are the men who head corporations,
And sit on the councils of great nations.
They learn the value of raw sheer grit,
The determination that won’t say quit.
The value of facing rugged strife
To face the gun with just a knife,
They learn how to make a fight in life.

To the man on the bench I give my hand
With the greatest respect, cause he’s my man,
Please don’t worry, he’ll go far
Be it jet propulison or motor car,
Somewhere in life, he will be a star.

Author Unknown

Are Your Excuses Keeping You In A Rut?

Once again, we are on the threshold of another year. What is on the horizon for you this year? Will it be the success as you have imagined? Or will you suffer failure, repeating the same behaviors and habits from the past with no positive results? If that sounds like your past, then you may be in a rut! 

No matter how hard some people are working to make their lives great, no matter how much they have accomplished, or how good they feel about themselves, there is almost always one area of their lives where they feel powerless to create the next level of success. If a person is honest with themselves, they will undoubtedly find one or more excuses which hold more power over them than their commitment to their stated goal.

Some of the excuses are obvious and some are so subtle that it takes a very keen eye to expose them. Some messages are loud enough for all to hear, while others whisper quietly in our ears: “It’s not my fault.” “I couldn’t help it.” “My family needed me.” “I am waiting on this or that to happen first.” “I can’t do it.” “It’s a big project.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I’m too stressed out.” “Business is terrible for everyone.” “I’ll do it next week.” “I’ll start tomorrow.”

What we must recognize is that our excuses are automatic. They take no thinking or creativity. We all have them, we all use them, and we all pretend that we are rendered powerless by them.

Excuses like these are the proverbial back door that we leave open in case the pursuit of our goals is harder than we anticipated and we want to take a time out. It is our attempt to “excuse” ourselves from fulfilling our objectives and behaving like the responsible, powerful, creative human beings that we are. The excuses we offer transfer all of our inner power over to outer circumstances we deal with and strip away our ability to create results. They sabotage our dreams for the future and keep us tethered to the past. Excuses are just excuses not to begin something, not to succeed, and not to go beyond your comfort zone. Going outside of your comfort zone isn’t easy and you may have to endure some short-term pain, but isn’t that worth it if you ultimately achieve your goals?

 The first step in becoming successful is to make the decision that you have had enough of your current life – that it isn’t working for you and you’re willing to do what it takes to make serious changes that will lead to success. Then decide what goals are worthy to be pursued. Next, convince yourself that you can achieve those goals.

If you look back to a time when you produced breakthrough results you will most likely find that success was achieved in part because you didn’t allow yourself to use the excuses that are stopping you now. You could see them, and were perhaps momentarily seduced by them. But, ultimately you chose not to use them. You consciously or unconsciously declared that area of your life as an excuse-free zone. While you may have had moments when your progress was halted by excuses, in the end you remained more committed to your vision than to your reasons, excuses, and justifications. And, if you’re really honest with yourself, you’ll see that having a current vision for your life – one that deeply inspires you right here and now – is the best antidote to the chronic use of excuses.

The challenge is to take on the area of your life where you’re not making the progress you desire and identify the top five excuses you use to justify your current reality. Be honest with yourself and overcome those excuses that hold you back and rob your life of vitality and success.

Remind yourself that at every moment you have a choice to align with your greatest vision for your life or to align with your excuses. Then take back your power, and consciously claim this area of your life as an excuse-free zone. When you look back at your life and see what you accomplished it will be well worth it. You can make it happen!

How Do You Think?

How Do You Think

Author Unknown

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t!
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind!

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself
Before you’ll ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the person who thinks he can!

This Christmas Help Stop Child Trafficking

Do you remember the dreams you had as a child? Maybe you wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer or a nurse. Or maybe you wanted to sail the oceans or fly like a bird. Whatever your dreams were, can you remember how you felt if anyone tried to tell you that you could never achieve that dream? That can be devastating for a child. This holiday season, how would you like to help make a child’s dream come true?

We spend so much of our income and treasure on things that are soon forgotten after the holidays. While we live in a land of abundance, we use so little of what we have to make a difference in others’ lives. Now you have an opportunity to do something that will not only change lives, but also save lives. Read on to see how you can make a difference in the life of a child, starting today.

“Blossom is in big trouble. Her grandfather warned her not to go beyond the village gates. After all, no caterpillar in Twig Valley has ever ventured there and returned to tell.

“For centuries the caterpillars of Twig Valley have lived with a Dark Cloud over the land. For as long as anyone can remember, no caterpillar has ever become a butterfly. In fact, no one thinks about being anything more than a bug that crawls in the dust of the ground.

“Until Blossom.”

Born to Fly is an illustrated children’s book about pursuing your dream. The story features a strong girl as the hero who faces not only the evil Dream Thieves but also her own fears. In her quest to follow her dream, she learns valuable lessons (the hard way, of course) that will inspire girls and boys alike to pursue the dreams in their own hearts.

Born to Fly is published solely as an ebook and is available for iPad, Kindle, Nook, Sony, and other readers. Proceeds go to the Born2Fly Project, a 501c3 nonprofit that works to fight global child trafficking.

Born to Fly author Diana Scimone is a journalist whose work chronicling human rights and justice has taken her to more than 40 countries from Sudan to Zimbabwe. She founded The Born2Fly Project in 2003 to meet some of the many needs she has seen among the world’s children. Today, Born2Fly’s only focus is working to stop child trafficking through an awareness and prevention program currently being tested in five countries.

“Each year more than a million kids get lured into trafficking including in the U.S.,” says Scimone. “Some are just five years old. Our goal at Born2Fly is to reach kids before the traffickers do — and we’re hoping that sales of this new book will help us do that.”                                                                                   

If you would like to help Born2Fly make a difference in a child’s life, here’s what you can do:

• Buy the ebook: www.borntoflybook.com.
• Be a fan of Blossom on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
• Visit www.born2fly.org to learn more about the fight to stop child trafficking and make a donation.

How You Can Improve Your Life

Sometimes our lives just don’t seem “fun” anymore. You don’t want to get out of bed, let alone go to work! We all have experienced this pattern: Get up, go to work, come home, take care of the family, watch TV, check your Facebook or twitter pages, cell phone, and go to bed every single day!  At what point do we get fed up with the routines of life making us feel depressed, lethargic, empty and miserable?  Do you need to find ways of improving your life? If you are “stuck in a rut” and obviously not enjoying your life anymore, surely it’s time to do something about it. You may not even have noticed the gradual decline of your life’s “quality,” just sort of drifted into a daily routine where most of your actions are performed on “autopilot.”

I know it will not be easy to make changes in your life, nor will you suddenly wake up happy. But if you do not take the necessary steps to improve your life, you only dig that hole deeper in your life and you will stay miserable every day. Also, your misery will affect your relationships with your partner, your family, and even your work.

If you feel you are in that routine, or miserable state of life, now is the time to start improving your life. So how do we do this?

Here are some tips that will gradually help you regain your interest and improve your life.

• First of all, think about your daily routine and identify at least one thing you could do differently. It can be something as trivial as driving a different route, or shopping at a different store. It doesn’t matter what it is, the idea is just to do something different. Try to notice different things, or experience different feelings during the course of your day. Remember, the goal is to break the routine.

• Second, consider taking up a new hobby or sport. Find something you might be interested in, or that you used to do, but never seem to get around to anymore. It must be something interesting to you. Try a new sport, start exercising, read a book, donate your time to a charity, eat at a different restaurant, put date night back in your marriage or relationship, take a walk; anything that is new or different or forgotten to get you thinking about a new way to enjoy your day.

• Third, spend five minutes every day dwelling on something in your life that’s positive. Your children, spouse, friends, a beautiful sunset, the fact that you have a job when so many others don’t. Whatever is positive in your life, let your mind seek it out and dwell on it for five full minutes everyday. Train yourself to look for a new favorite positive each day from the smallest gift to the biggest blessing: No red lights on the way to work? Celebrate! Your daughter texts you, “I love you” for no reason? Cheer! Practice looking for the positives and spending time with them and that will brighten your attitude on a regular basis and soon you’ll be seeing positive outcomes everywhere you look.

Bear in mind that these tips only represent “a start” to improving your life. As you change things little by little, your life will become more and more interesting, and you will begin to look forward to the next day, and doing new things. Those around you will also regard you differently, and want to be around you more, and trust me, you will be happier with your new, improved life. Remember, the goal is to discover something different or new that can break that routine and make you look at your life differently and start enjoying every day. Life is a gift. What are your ideas for improving your outlook on life?

“Worry less, smile more, accept criticism, take responsibility, listen and love, don’t hate, embrace change, feel good anyway.” Unknown

My Comfort Zone
Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone,
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

Change

The one thing we can count on in life is change. We usually have an aversion to, and even a fear of, change. Sometimes change is inevitable. Sometimes change is needed and should be accepted. Why then do we resist it so much?  

I think the answer lies in control. We have difficulty with change because we perceive it to be a loss of control. Change is not bad and at times is a source of rejuvenation. It provides zest in our lives. It challenges what it touches, forcing adaptation and improvement. It realigns you with your values.

How then do we accept change and incorporate it into our life so that it is acceptable?

1. Recognize
2. Reflect
3. Release
4. Replace
5. Reprogram
6. Re-Integration

First, recognize that change is necessary. It may manifest itself as discomfort, either physical or emotional. You may notice tension or stress, or disrupted sleep. Your appetite may change or you may become impatient, frustrated or discontent.  This lets you know that something must change in your life. The question is then asked, “What must change?”

This is a good time to reflect on your life. What is the source of the discomfort or stress? You must discover what is affecting you emotionally and physically in a negative way. Upon reflection you must remind yourself of your purpose. Discover what is not in agreement with your values or what contradicts or inhibits your growth and pursuit of your purpose.

After you have identified what stresses you or inhibits your life, release it. You must let go of that which is holding you back. When you release this frustration and stress you will notice a change and a difference within you, a spaciousness of freedom.

Now, this sense of spaciousness may in fact begin to feel like an emptiness that needs to be filled. You have the option to replace the negative which wasn’t serving you, with a positive: something that is more aligned with your core values. You must make the choice to be positive and proactive in filling that emptiness.

Once the detrimental aspect has been replaced with something positive, reprogramming is necessary. You must learn how to incorporate this new dynamic into your life. You have the opportunity now to reprogram the way you think and live more positively, relieving your life from stress and frustration you have been dealing with. Once completed you will experience more ease, more fulfillment and happiness in your life.

Over time and with application you will discover that reprogramming your thoughts, feelings and actions will bring you to a place of re-integration. The positive changes you have made will be seamlessly incorporated into other aspects of your life. Change is often a necessity in our lives and should not be perceived as bad. We resist what we do not understand and we deflect change because we have fear of what may happen. But please realize that change can be good. Staying proactive and allowing change when needed is not losing control. It allows you to stay in control of your life so that you can be happy, healthy and wise, pursuing new levels of freedom in finding your purpose for living.  

“Change is in the air. This change reminds us that we are made and beautifully sculpted by the same power that is orchestrating this transition. Let this be the season you embrace and align your self with this change.”

Steve Maraboli

Just One

                                                                                                                                                                                  Unknown

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Marching For Babies

Q&A Series ~ With Patrick and April Emrich

In 2008 Patrick and April Emrich were ready to start a family and ecstatic when April became pregnant with twins. But the overwhelming joy turned to fear and sadness when April was hospitalized. The twins — Patrick and Savannah — were born prematurely, and baby Patrick passed away just three weeks later. Although the experience has been devastating, Patrick and April have found strength by working to help prevent premature births through the March of Dimes, and they tell their story below in this latest Q&A in a series on charities that are worth your time and consideration.

Every day, babies are born too soon or very sick and start life in newborn intensive care. When doctors and nurses are focused on their little patients, the March of Dimes is there to help support families. Join March for Babies and walk for a baby you love to raise money to support programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

      

What’s your favorite part of a typical day? 

Walking into Savannah’s room in the morning when she first wakes up.  She often loves to greet us both with a big smile which is a perfect start to the day.  We have our own little routine as she likes to stay in bed for a good 10-15 minutes playing with her animals and rolling around.

 What part of your day would you gladly give up?

The hustle and bustle of everyday life is something that I would give up in a minute.  There are often times that I wish I was able to press a pause button and just freeze life.  I want to enjoy watching my daughter grow up and remember all of the things that pass by so often.  It is exciting to see her reach milestones but I long for the days when I could cradle her in one arm.  Often times, we as a society get caught up in the next big thing or working towards the next promotion when in reality it is the small things in life that truly matter.

 Tell me about your charity. Share your passion.

The March of Dimes is an organization that we discovered a little less than three years ago and one that is very near and dear to our hearts.  The March of Dimes supports research into the prevention of premature birth and infant mortality which is something that we have experienced firsthand.

On November 6, 2008 and at only 31 weeks pregnant, April gave birth to boy/girl twins.  Patrick weighed 1 lb. 7 oz. and Savannah weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz.  They were both rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where we expected them to stay for a number of weeks and possibly months as they continued to get bigger and stronger.  Even after being born 9 weeks early and as tiny as they were, neither Patrick nor Savannah showed any major issues due to their premature birth. (Notice little Patrick wearing his father’s wedding ring on his tiny arm above.) They were both treated for jaundice and Savannah had a minor bleed in her brain which ultimately resolved itself.  The biggest hurdle for both Patrick and Savannah was their size which would take lots of time and food to fix.  Unfortunately, 25 days after they were born, Patrick developed an intestinal condition that attacked his little body and slowly shut it down.  On November 30, we held Patrick for the last time as his body was not strong enough to fight off the intestinal damage that had been done. We feel strongly that without the research that the March of Dimes has completed over the past 70 years, it is completely possible that Savannah and Patrick may not even have been born and Patrick may not have lived as long as he did.

If you could change anything you have done in your charity, what would it be?

 Every year, we raise money for the annual March of Dimes March for Babies which is an event that takes place on the same day throughout the country.  As honored and proud that we are to be one of the top teams in Florida, I wish that we could have a more personal impact.  I wish that we could meet families that have recently experienced the birth of a premature child or the loss of an infant due to premature birth and help them walk through the challenges that they are facing.  Although each circumstance may be unique, every family that has lost a child can relate in some way to each other and we would like to be able to provide a shoulder for other families to lean on.

What keeps you up at night? 

The biggest thing that keeps me up at night right now is wondering how we are going to explain to Savannah that her twin brother did not live and that he is in heaven.  We talk about him all the time and Savannah knows that he is in heaven but she really cannot grasp that concept at only 2 ½ years old.  I pray that when the day comes that Savannah realizes the magnitude of what happened to Patrick, I have the right words to explain everything to her and that she does not feel guilty for living while her brother died.

Who gives you the best advice about your charity?

The Hillsborough County, Florida chapter of the March of Dimes has a great support staff and they have all been extremely helpful and generous with their time and insight.

What would you like to see happen with your charity?

In the short-term I want to continue to grow our team and our fundraising efforts on a yearly basis.  Currently, we are one of the Ambassador Families for Hillsborough County, Florida and we would like to continue that role and continue to share our story at local events.  A long-term goal would be for Savannah and us to be the National Ambassador Family.  This prestigious position is generally a child that was saved by the March of Dimes research, programs or educational campaigns.  This may be a few years down the line but would be an amazing honor.

Share a failure and a triumphant outcome to something you have faced in your life.

April was originally admitted to the hospital at 21 weeks pregnant and the doctors immediately informed us that the babies would not even be viable for another three weeks.  April and I had to have faith in God’s plan, each other and the doctors in order to survive those first few grueling weeks.  As it turned out we made it 10 weeks before the babies were born but those 10 weeks were certainly some of the longest weeks of our lives.  I am extremely proud of the strength that April and I received from each other during that time.  It could have been very easy to pull away from each other as we both grieved in our own way but it was our continuous support and love that allowed us to make it though that season of life. 

If you were in charge of everything in the world for a day, what’s the first change you would make?

 I would encourage everyone to open their eyes about the loss of a child which is still a taboo subject.  It is a very unfortunate event but it happens every day.  If you know someone who has lost a child I would encourage you to not shy away from them because you are uncomfortable, but instead embrace them and help them during their grieving process.

Every day there are needs to be met in this world and every day you have an opportunity. Find a cause, find a charity and endeavor to make a difference. You will be glad you did.

I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.  ~ Edward Everett Hale

Don’t Quit

Don’t Quit

by: Unknown Author

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

6 Powerful Ways to Build Your Self Esteem

Throughout our lives starting in childhood we deal with self esteem issues. Unfortunately, many adults do not recognize the significance of their interactions with children and they miss opportunities to increase self esteem as they grow and develop. Lack of self esteem may not always be apparent but it can have enormous impact on quality of life. Children who suffer from low self esteem often have a lack of confidence in their abilities that follows them into adulthood. 
The good news is that there are many tips to building self esteem that can help all of us.

6 powerful ways to build your self esteem:

1. Recognize that you are valuable. All of us have something to offer this world. And you have something special that adds value to other people. It may be your words, your ideas, or your soothing demeanor. Recognizing what is special about you and using that to help others is an excellent confidence building strategy.

2. Examine the internal self. Take a close look at YOU. Recognize what is important to you and articulate your personal values. When you know what is important to you, what captures your attention; it is easier to overcome a lack of self esteem by focusing on what you want out of life. Focusing on your goals and objectives gives you the motivation to move forward and increase confidence. It is a powerful way for boosting self esteem.

3. Take care of yourself. Boosting self esteem starts with self awareness. You must take the time to care for your mind and body. When you live an active lifestyle and take time to meditate and think, it makes you more aware of yourself and is a huge boost for confidence and self esteem. What better confidence building action is there than to take care of yourself?

4. Be observant. Your confidence comes from being aware of your surroundings. Observe and examine what is happening and listen to what is being said. You will discover that you can identify ways to help others that you never realized before. Therefore, instead of worrying about your self, you can do something good by observing and helping others. You finally see beyond yourself and by doing that, you discover what you are meant to do.

5. Walk confidently. There are many ways that people demonstrate their self confidence. The way you walk and carry yourself and your physical appearance says volumes about your self confidence – or lack thereof. Stand tall, be assertive, and reach out to others. Speak clearly and succinctly. People who slouch, whisper, and sit back from the group are often believed to have a lack of self confidence and low self esteem. Take control and walk confidently, and you will boost your self confidence and increase your self esteem.

6. Focus on others. When you focus only on yourself and your perceived flaws, you lose sight of others and their needs. When you listen to what people say, you learn and you perceive and you can help. But just as important, you can encourage and make a difference. You can feel like you contribute to their welfare which in turn, makes a difference within you. You can become alive and effective when you can encourage others to reach their goals. Encouraging others make you feel more powerful and increases your confidence.

Don’t allow a lack of self esteem to keep you from enjoying life. These 6 powerful tips will go a long way towards confidence building and helping you overcome fears and anxieties in life. They will give you the basis for boosting self esteem so you can live a life filled with adventure and excitement. The best way to go forward in life is to move ahead with confidence.

     “To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”

Maryanne Williamson

The Value of a Life

Enough people to populate a small city — over 100,000 — are waiting for an organ donation in the United States. Unfortunately, thousands will never receive the call saying that a suitable donor organ,  and a second chance at life, has been found.  Each day 18 people will die waiting for an organ.  Did you also know that one donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 100 others?  Every 10 minutes another name is added to the transplant list waiting for a life-saving phone call.  What can you do about it? Here is Kim’s story.

10 Questions with ~ Kim McMahon

Tell me about your business, charity or cause.

My son William “Will” McMahon was an active, healthy, 16-year old honor student.  During the last week of 2004 he suddenly developed flu-like symptoms. Less than a week later, Will was diagnosed with unexplainable liver failure.  He was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla. in critical condition, with only 24 hours to live.  Miraculously, he received a donated liver in time to save his life.  Following his transplant on Jan.  2, 2005, Will fought bravely to recover and successfully returned home to resume his schoolwork, along with his passions of surfing and playing the guitar.  Five months later, however, my son developed complications and was placed back on the organ waiting list, in need of a second liver transplant.  Unfortunately, he passed away on May 19, 2005,  as he waited.  Following his passing, I  founded  http://www.donate4william.org in his memory  with the purpose of educating and supporting the need for more registered organ donors.  My son might be alive today if more than 35% of eligible citizens were registered donors.  During my time away from my job as a flight attendant  I speak to schools, civic groups,  and other audiences  encouraging everyone to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor  and to share their wishes with other family members.

What’s your favorite part of a typical day?

Visiting my son’s grave at the cemetery in the afternoons as the sun sets.  His golden retriever accompanies me and we run together through the little roads inside the memorial park.  It’s my quiet time to reflect on my son’s life, draw inspiration and think.

What part of your day would you gladly give up?

The never-ending errands!  Trips to the grocery store, the post office, etc.  I would gladly relinquish the basic daily errands in order to focus more on the non-profit foundation or time enjoying life. 

If you could change anything you have done in your  cause, what would it be?

I would really like to meet and thank the family of my son’s liver donor but I’ve never been able to locate them.  Because of their generosity during the worst time of their lives I was fortunate to have five more precious months with William.

What keeps you up at night?

Knowing that every day 18-20 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.  Over 110,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list, yet less than half the population has registered as organ donors.  We don’t need a cure; the organs are out there.  The year my son passed away, there were 2.5 million recorded deaths in the U.S. alone.  Organ donation doesn’t cost anything.  We just need to educate people about the subject and create awareness.

Who gives you the best advice about your cause?

Family and friends are always extremely supportive.  However, I find that the groups that I speak to and interact with, particularly the teens, inspire me.  The look in their eyes and hearing their response tells me that I am reaching them with my message. They really feel empowered that they can make a difference too!  I approach every speaking event as an opportunity to grow and learn.  People also share their own personal transplant stories with me which I am grateful to hear.  It always drives me that much harder to get the word out about organ donation. 

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’ve been a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines for over 33 years now and thoroughly enjoy my work.  I’ve traveled the world and have been fortunate to be able to experience other cultures and lifestyles.

What would you like to see happen with your cause?

I would like to have a greater impact on a larger level.  As a non-profit, I do what I can with the funding we receive but I often wish I could reach more people with the message.  Organ donation is accepted by every major religion in the world, and it crosses every economic, social, and racial barrier.  I’d like to get that message out on a national scale!

Share a failure and a triumphant outcome to something you have faced in your life.

My son’s donor liver failed, and he went back on the transplant waiting list.  We weren’t able to get him a second transplant in time to save his life.   I feel a small sense of triumph each time I learn that my son’s story has inspired someone else to register as an organ donor.

If you were in charge of everything in the world for a day, what’s the first change you would make?

I would make the U.S. organ donor registry “opt out” versus “opt in.”  Typically, countries that assume everyone to be an organ donor do not have lengthy waiting lists like we have in the U.S.

Foundation Web Site: http://www.donate4william.org

Will2Live Documentary: http://www.vimeo.com/13873856

Where Does Real Happiness Come From?

There is a great quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says, “Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”  

We have all heard it before, “Happiness comes from within.” These words are true, but reality is most people endeavor to seek happiness outside of themselves. They look for some thing or some person to bring them happiness or wait for a climactic event or milestone to occur in their lives and then they hope that will bring them happiness.

People say, when I buy a house, when I get a new car, when I change jobs, when I fall in love, when I get married, when I get divorced, when I graduate, when I lose some weight, when I get my job promotion, then I will be happy!

But the truth be known, people will come and go, possessions will get old, marriages work, marriages fail, new jobs do not pan out, relationships change, fortunes are made and fortunes are lost. Everything changes. Life is fluid.  So, how do you find real happiness and how do you hold on to that happiness so it does not easily escape your every day living?

Real happiness comes to you by starting from where you are right at this moment in life. Not tomorrow, not some time “if” or “when” something happens. To be really happy you must take stock of what you already have, and truly appreciate what is right in front of you and learn to be grateful for everything you are and have. Why put your life on hold waiting for some one or some thing to make you whole or bring you happiness when all you have to do is open your eyes and look around you?  All we really have is today. Right now! Now you may choose to chase the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but life and happiness isn’t just about attaining something. It is all about enjoying the journey while reaching your destination. Learn how to detach yourself from the outcome and enjoy the ride to wherever it is you want to go or whatever it is you want to have. 

It only makes sense to figure out how to tap into your internal joy and not rely on external events to supply you with it. Don’t depend on something to happen to bring you happiness. Happiness, true happiness, is within you. Experiences in our lives change daily. Situations change, but you can live now. You can enjoy now. You can be happy now. It’s your choice!

“Happiness is not in our circumstance but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are.”
John B. Sheerin

Setting Smart Goals to Excel in 2011

In order to begin 2011 successfully and to excel in your life, you need to start setting smart goals. In short you must have a plan; a decisive strategy of reaching your goals. The strategy must be comprehensive and must provide proper guidance in all situations so that you always know what to do, no matter what.  

When setting smart goals, you must ensure that they are worth the effort. Consider the specific advantages that you will enjoy if you succeed and the consequences if the choices you make are wrong. This is what should inspire you to right away begin setting smart goals which are also achievable. This way you will know what you want and where you want to be this year and not wait until the end of 2011 looking back with regrets.

Look at your current position and then see where you want to be in future. Ask yourself the question; is there anything that can hinder me from being successful? This way you are creating the right mentality to tackle challenges. Then set smart goals and always remember to review them periodically. Do not wait until it is too late to achieve your goal for 2011 or accomplish what YOU need to excel in your life.

Remember, you will encounter difficulties and road blocks as you maneuver throughout the year. Whenever those problematic situations rise up in life, always consider what motivated you in the first place. Do not lose sight of your vision for what you imagine for yourself. This will help raise your spirits to soar above your predicaments, thus the importance of setting smart goals. This is very necessary because challenges tend to make one lose focus and procrastinate. But, if you are determined to change your situation, and rise above the dust and make your goals a reality you must reinforce your mind and focus on what you really want in your life. Do not let anyone or anything detour you. 

The level of commitment to a particular cause is a matter of what is important to you and what is not. If something really matters to you then you will take it seriously and not let that desire or goal escape your reach. You must not yield to negative influence on your vision and plans. Connect with like minded people that are supportive and are willing to help you reach your goal as they too achieve their own. In addition, make a practice of reminding yourself about your goals and what they mean to you. When you value your goals and understand their importance to you, you will surely excel.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”

Henry Ford

A Beautiful Christmas

I recently read a poem by Rose Marie Rideout and wanted to share this wonderful poem with you. Please think about your Christmas this year and what you can do to share the Christmas warmth and cheer with someone in need.

 

By Rose Marie Rideout

The streets have gone to silence,

Even the poor has laid their heads to rest.

Tonight Santa remembers all,

Each year he’s put to test.

The list gets larger every year,

No one wishes for peace and love,

No one takes the time to remember,

We celebrate Baby Jesus birthday up above.

How many think of our loved ones away,

Who give their all for us this day,

The hungry who are homeless and alone,

With no food and no place to call home.

No comfy pillow, no blanket to hug,

Just an old dampened box, and no one to love.

The beauty we see on the streets every year,

The lights and the soft glow glitter we share.

Just give a dollar, a pair of old worn gloves,

A scarf you don’t wear to show off your love.

The smiles and laughter show that we care,

If we’d take the time to wipe away another’s tear.

Buy an extra coffee along your way,

Reach out to a homeless cold person this day.

Let them see someone really does care,

Stop them before they shed another tear.

A pair of wool socks that sat in your drawer,

A coat that’s just not your style anymore,

It can keep another one warm from the cold,

Your heart will be happy inside I’m told.

Close your eyes and thank God up above,

For helping you know the meaning of love,

For making a difference to someone today,

By sharing a little throughout your day.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thanksgiving Poem from the Past

I believe for so many of us, 2010 has been a very tough year. Global economic struggles, health concerns, and war still loom. And the list goes on, but despite the difficulties we also have  much to be thankful for. Try not to dwell on the negatives this year, but look to the positive and spend some time spreading good cheer and optimism.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Please take time to enjoy, love and share with family and friends.

 

Thanksgiving

(Edgar Albert Guest, 1881-1959)

Gettin’ together to smile an’ rejoice,
An’ eatin’ an’ laughin’ with folks of your choice;
An’ kissin’ the girls an’ declarin’ that they
Are growin more beautiful day after day;
Chattin’ an’ braggin’ a bit with the men,
Buildin’ the old family circle again;
Livin’ the wholesome an’ old-fashioned cheer,
Just for awhile at the end of the year.

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door
And under the old roof we gather once more
Just as we did when the youngsters were small;
Mother’s a little bit grayer, that’s all.
Father’s a little bit older, but still
Ready to romp an’ to laugh with a will.
Here we are back at the table again
Tellin’ our stories as women an men.

Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;
Oh, but we’re grateful an’ glad to be there.
Home from the east land an’ home from the west,
Home with the folks that are dearest an’ best.
Out of the sham of the cities afar
We’ve come for a time to be just what we are.
Here we can talk of ourselves an’ be frank,
Forgettin’ position an’ station an’ rank.

Give me the end of the year an’ its fun
When most of the plannin’ an’ toilin’ is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin’ with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An I’ll put soul in my Thanksgivin’ prayers.

~~~~~~~~

Sacrifice and Service Brings Rewards!

An interview with Molly Mattessich

What’s your favorite part of a typical day?

Getting to the office is something that I look forward to every day, because it is when I feel most connected to people.  First thing in the morning, I spend about 15 minutes checking in with online communities, and get the jolt of energy that comes not just from my cup of coffee but from reading what everyone else is up to and inspired by.

Are there any words of wisdom that help guide your work or your life?

I’ve spent a lot of time, decades in fact, pondering my vocation.  Ultimately, I had to make that choice and find, “where the world’s greatest need meets my greatest bliss.”  In my current work, I have found that.  I also read Parker Palmer’s book, “Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.” His words inspired me and I continue to ask myself every day, “is the life that you are living the same as the life that lives in you?”  Having my actions be congruent with my thoughts and desires is not an easy thing to do, but to me this is the challenge for each of us: to do what we are meant to do and not always what is expected of us.

Tell me about your business, charity or cause. Share your passion.

Eight years ago, I lived in a rural village in Mali for two years serving as a Peace Corps volunteer and it was the most transformative experience of my life.  Many of those months also were the loneliest of my life and when I felt completely disconnected to friends, family, and everything that was familiar.  Now, I’m making up for the disconnect by managing the online communities for the National Peace Corps Association, the leading nonprofit organization that supports and engages serving and returned Peace Corps Volunteers to help them continue being of service to their communities and the world.  In this role, I launched and still manage Africa Rural Connect (ARC), an online platform that gives a voice in the international development community to those who may not previously have been heard. On the ARC site, we’re trying to come up with solutions to the agricultural challenges faced by people living in sub-Saharan Africa.  So far, it’s been rewarding to see the creative, thoughtful, and practical plans proposed by people participating from over 130 countries and the partnerships being formed that are helping the ideas to take shape.

If you could change anything you have done in your business, charity, cause, what would it be?

Get rid of the cynics in the development space.  It’s easy to criticize an idea but don’t do it unless you can offer an alternative plan in the same breath.  I wish that people would continue to be positive and support ideas, partnerships, and initiatives. Negativity is the easy way out.  I’d rather engage with problem solvers.

What keeps you up at night? 

The concept that it’s hard to build something, and so easy to destroy it.  This equation has to change.  I also wonder who I should be talking to or connecting with that I don’t know about.

Who gives you the best advice about your business, charity, cause?

On a professional level, I get lots of feedback from my advisor, a man outside of my organization who served in the Peace Corps nearly 40 years ago and has a breadth of knowledge about business, service, and international issues.  Personally, I get advice from a close circle of intimate friends and my boyfriend, who doesn’t let me rest too long after any success, but encourages me to think creatively and move on toward the next goal.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I took this position never having managed the launch of a large-scale website.  I dove into the projects and was able to draw on my knowledge from other very different jobs and volunteer roles to make all of the pieces come together and succeed with the constraints of a nonprofit budget.  I’m proud of hiring a hard-working and committed team of people to help make it happen.

What would you like to see happen with your business, charity, cause? 

I’d like to see the National Peace Corps Association become as much of a recognized brand as Peace Corps, the government agency.  People generally serve no more than 2 years in the Peace Corps, but they are a returned volunteer for the rest of their lives.  Our mission is to help volunteers prolong that Peace Corps experience by offering opportunities to teach about it, share stories, continue serving others and perpetuate the rise of caring and connected global citizens.

If you were in charge of everything in the world for a day, what’s the first change you would make?

I would want to make it mandatory and possible for everyone in the world to travel to another country if they haven’t already.  We can all benefit from a little perspective on our lives, no matter where we are from.

Bio: Molly Mattessich launched and now manages the online platforms for the National Peace Corps Association: AfricaRuralConnect.org and Peace Corps Connect.org. She also leads many of NPCA’s public relations, marketing, and business development initiatives. Her work on Africa Rural Connect is profiled in the just published book Empowered: Unleash Your Employees, Energize Your Customers, and Transform Your Business by Josh Bernoff and Ted Schadler of Forrester Research.

From 2002-2004, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, where she initiated a market clean-up venture, educated villagers on how to prevent water and food-borne illnesses, and became fluent in Bambara and Malinké.

Molly earned a degree in psychology from Wellesley College. She is Co-Chair of the Wellesley Women in Nonprofits network in Washington, DC. You can follow her on Twitter at @MollyMali.  Find Africa Rural Connect on Twitter @IdeasforAfrica and the National Peace Corps Association @PCorpsConnect.

Begging

We asked our friend Diana Scimone to guest post for us this week. Diana is director of The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking. B2F educates at-risk children and their parents about the dangers of trafficking through a strategic 6-week community campaign called The B2F Project. B2F creates awareness about child trafficking with the ultimate goal of ending it.

We wrote about Diana and The Born2Fly Project last year:  What is a Child Worth?

This Sunday, Born2Fly is sponsoring the 10/10/10 Twitterthon to raise funds to fight child trafficking. The goal is 10,000 people giving $10 each to help stop child trafficking. We’ve already donated—and wanted to let you know why.

Begging

By Diana Scimone

Director, The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking.

I can’t get a picture out of my head. Maybe you can help me. Recently I met with an anti-trafficking colleague who does great work rescuing trafficked kids in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and even in the US.

A few months ago he and his colleagues were in Ethiopia in a red-light district rescuing girls. They could rescue only a certain number of girls because that’s all the room they had in their safe houses.

But more girls showed up. A lot of them.

And this is the picture I can’t get out of my mind: They ran up to him carrying all their worldly possessions in little plastic bags—and they begged him to take them away from the horror.

And he had to say no. I can’t even imagine the pain in his heart at having to do that. I cried for days after he told me.

You might say, “Why didn’t he just take them all? Figure out what to do once he had them.”

Easy to say from your comfortable computer chair reading this. Where would you take 100 traumatized little girls? You can’t just hail a cab. You can’t just show up on someone’s doorstep and say, “Can you take a girl or two? Feed them, clean them, house them, heal them, love them?”

When my colleague told me this story, we talked about another kind of begging—that we constantly feel like we’re begging for money to fund our projects to help kids trafficked for sex. I spend as much time fund-raising for Born to Fly as I do on the actual project. It’s sad but true. He’d tell you the same thing.

Last year someone accused me of constantly begging for money for Born to Fly. “Something must be wrong if you’re always begging for money,” this person graciously wrote in an email. “I’m going to ask God what’s wrong in your life. There must be sin somewhere that He’s not blessing your efforts.”

Ooookay.

I don’t mind begging for money to help little girls like the ones I can’t get out of my mind. This Sunday—10/10/10—we’re hosting our second annual Twitterthon to raise funds for The B2F Project to stop child trafficking so that girls like the ones in Ethiopia never get trafficked in the first place.

Our goal is 10,000 people giving $10 each on 10/10/10. The only problem is I don’t know 10,000 people. And maybe you do not either—but all of us working together probably do.

So here’s what I’m asking you to do:

• Donate: Use the Chip-in widget above (or here) to donate $10. (You don’t have to wait until 10/10/10 to donate of course.)
• Email: Tell 10 people about 10/10/10 and send them to www.born2fly.org or http://www.dianascimone.com.
• Blog: Post about 10/10/10.
• Facebook: Talk about 10/10/10; include the Chip-in widget.
• Twitter: Tweet about it. Follow me, @DianaScimone, director of The B2F Project.
• Updates: Check my blog for the latest: www.dianascimone.com
• Show: Add a Twibbon to your Twitter and Facebook photos: http://twb.ly/9Hccsi

Traffickers think kids are commodities. On 10/10/10, tell kids they’re priceless. All it takes is $10.

Forgive me for begging…but if those little girls can do it, so can I.

Diana Scimone is director of The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking. She blogs at http://www.dianascimone.com.

Unleash Your Potential

To be motivated and release your full potential involves strong mind power. It is believed that most anything can be achieved using the tools of the mind! This involves using positive thinking and will power to motivate you toward a goal. In a person’s lifetime you will have many goals to aspire to and challenges to overcome, and it is important to make sure that you keep motivated in order to live life to its fullest!

Positive thinking is one of the key elements to getting motivated. This tool can be used in every situation. It is common when faced with a problem or challenge to think negatively about the situation. Usually it is the first thing that pops into our heads, which makes it hard to think about it in a positive light, but that’s exactly what we have to do: just find a positive, no matter how minute it may be and focus on it. It can be the most difficult task to focus on something positive when we are faced with devastating situations in our life, but we must overcome negative thinking and replace it with positive thoughts so we can release our full potential.

To get yourself motivated toward something you want to do, keep it small at first. Many people for example when they are trying to diet will try to do it all at once. This unrealistic plan can lead to failure. If small steps are initially taken such as cutting out the snacks for a week or cutting back on red meat the next week, the small steps may more easily add up to the ultimate goal of weight loss. Small successes are important to keeping yourself motivated.

I taught my children to not look at projects they were assigned all at once, lest they become overwhelmed. I told them to break it up into small segments and attack those tasks individually. When they did that they found they could overcome their fear and reluctance and reach their goal.

Another creative idea is to grant yourself a reward for staying motivated. Kids get rewards all the time, but what about adults? Is it wrong to reward yourself? No, it is not!  Attack your tasks, release your potential, accomplish your goals and the rewards will come.

Motivation can be achieved and potentially unleashed…it’s all in the way you think and feel about it!

“Ineffective people live day after day with unused potential. They experience synergy only in small, peripheral ways in their lives. But creative experiences can be produced regularly, consistently, almost daily in people’s lives. It requires enormous personal security and openness and a spirit of adventure.” Stephen R. Covey

Fear That Paralyzes

Fear can be a great motivator in your life as well as a great equalizer. But fear can limit, fear can kill dreams and fear can cut your life short from reaching your most cherished goals.

Fear is a sense of loss projected into the future. And that fear comes into play when you have something to risk. So what are you risking?

It all comes down to ownership. In our modern society we make a big deal about ownership. But what does ownership mean?  In reality we are only caretakers and temporary ones at that. Our bodies, relationships, environment, homes and a host of objects we like to call “possessions” are ours on a borrowed basis. When we lay claim to any object, defining it as ours, we fall prey to ownership ego.

Once that thirst grips us, we risk becoming lost and wander aimlessly when, in truth, we have nothing to lose. By attaching ourselves to things, people, or ideas about ourselves and reality, we set the conditions for fear. Many of us are guilty of this especially with loved ones.

Ultimate fear is a fear of loss of something we believe we own. But remember, nothing is permanent. Things, attributes or relationships are all temporary and fleeting. So then, fear comes from our clinging to the way things are; really the way things were.

Ultimately, this is the fear of change. Change can potentially require you to lose what you have grown accustomed to, what you think is yours. And many people have experienced that in their work and personal lives. Jobs that we cherished or took for granted were lost in this economic downturn and many people have had difficulty righting the ship. People have lost their homes to foreclosure and most everyone has had some significant financial losses. We become paralyzed and fear keeps us from moving forward and risk taking a chance to believe again; to try again. We lose the desire to be challenged and stop doing what we used to do because we fear we will lose more. So what happens? We do nothing at all!

Losing your job or losing your home is devastating. Downsizing is painful and sometimes humiliating but those changes do not define you as a person. They are setbacks or problems you deal with so you can get back to living.

To overcome the ultimate fear you must choose. You can detach yourself from everything and everyone – a strategy countless lonely, isolated people live by. Or you can accept that nothing is permanent in this physical reality, everything is transitory. From this state of mind you come to accept that though you might suffer the anguish of a temporary loss you remain ever expectant and welcome new joyful encounters.

And old preacher once told me when I was complaining to him about my problems  looking for consolation. He told me emphatically;  “I should be thankful for problems. Because problems let you know you are alive. Dead people do not have problems.”

Remember, life is an adventure. It need not be filled with fear. Choose to live free from fear and embrace the new adventures life brings.

“Overcoming fear and worry can be accomplished by living a day at a time or even a moment at a time. Your worries will be cut down to nothing.”

Dr. Robert Anthony

IT and Philanthropy. A Potent Combo to Change the World

There are regions in our world that have a dire need to bring technology to it’s people.  CIOs Without Borders focuses their attention to promote the health and welfare of societies less fortunate than ours.  It is a way for CIOs and other IT professionals to give back by helping those on the wrong side of the digital divide. The organization provides brief periods of intensive technology advice, along with hardware, software, and other products.

10 Questions for Atefeh (Atti)  Riazi

What’s your favorite part of a typical day?

From a work perspective, it is when my work, or my team’s work, has helped resolve real life social issues.  There has to be purpose and meaning in the outcome.

From a personal perspective, my favorite part of the day is waking up in the morning and seeing my twin daughters.

What part of your day would you gladly give up?

It is sitting in meetings where the focus of the discussion is how to preserve things as they are, and not how to move forward and break the barriers to change.

And I would gladly give up saying goodbye to my twin girls.

Tell me about your business, charity or cause. Share your passion.

I founded an organization called CIOs Without Borders.  CIOs Without Borders is a global nonprofit organization that uses technology to provide education, healthcare and infrastructure services to under served areas around the world. We bring together the IT community in a novel philanthropic effort to apply technology to solve everyday human problems.

If you could change anything you have done in your business, charity, cause, what would it be?

It would have been the timing.  We formed the organization at a very difficult time for the economy, in which many nonprofits are having a very hard time raising funds.

What keeps you up at night?

What keeps me awake at night is alignment and risk.  Is innovation in alignment with the human life and the environment?  Do we fully understand the impact of innovation and technology and can we plan for its impact on a long-term basis?  Serious risk is not like the Titanic hitting the iceberg.  It is not visible.  We can easily plan for visible problems, but have lesser sophistication in understanding and predicting the long-term impact of our innovations on human life and the environment.

Who gives you the best advice about your business, charity, cause?

My husband is my best adviser, even though I may ignore him the first time he tells me something that is right but difficult to do.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

My family is what I am most proud of.  Other than that, establishing CIOs Without Borders, and having the IT community become active in a cause that is aimed at directly improving human life.

What would you like to see happen with your business, charity, cause?

We would love to see the Rwanda initiative we are sponsoring in partnership with the Stevens Institute receive full funding.  This is a critical project designed to bring basic health care to those without any care.  Rwanda has over 10 million people, and only 400 doctors.  Many never see the doctor and die from disease and infection that is easily treatable.  Technology can play a critical role in helping save lives in Rwanda.

Share a failure and a triumphant outcome to something you have faced in your life.

I fail every day, trying to convince people of the value of those that bring no economic value to them: the people of the underdeveloped world, and the environment. I triumph every night, knowing that I have spent the day doing what I love to do.

If you were in charge of everything in the world for a day, what’s the first change you would make?

I would want a global distribution of wealth to close the gap between the poor countries and the rich providing global health care and access to education.

Atefeh Riazi’s bio

Atefeh (Atti) Riazi is a senior IT executive and a philanthropist. She has served in both the public and the private sector as a CIO, managing large scale technology projects and initiatives. She is now the Executive Director of CIOs Without Borders – a global not-for-profit organization, focused on using technology and innovation for the good of humanity.

She was recently the Senior Partner and Global Chief Information Officer of Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide, a leading global Marketing and Communications agency with 497 offices in 125 countries supporting more than 2,300 clients. Atti was ranked #49 amongst the top 100 global CIOs. Under Atti’s leadership Ogilvy and Mather has earned a place on InformationWeek’s 500 list of innovative IT organizations.

Atti has a graduate degree in electrical engineering.  Most recently, she was Vice President and CIO of Technology for MTA New York City Transit responsible for implementing the $1.5B MetroCard in New York City.

Thanks to Diane Chehab (@D_Chehab on Twitter – http://AwayFromAfrica.blogspot.com and www.sosauce.com/journal/1749/africa-and-america regarding her contributions for this interview.

Photo credit for Atefeh Riazi is Das Büro

The photos of Rwanda courtesy of CIOs Without Borders

How To Stay Inspired

How Can You Stay Inspired?

When you are inspired you find it easy to do most anything. You can diminish your work load and hit your goals, no matter how difficult the tasks happen to be.  But then there are those times when you lack the motivation and desire to get you going.  Here are a few tips to gain inspiration.

Go For The Gusto!

When you know what you want the rest is easy by comparison. But we don’t always clarify what it is that we truly want out of life. So first give yourself a clearly identifiable goal. Next, focus your mind on accomplishing that tangible objective. When you can formulate a clear goal and stay focused on it, you will have sufficient  inspiration to keep yourself excited enough to do what it takes to get what you want. Go for the gusto. Stay focused and cautious, but remember, no regrets!

Be Positive. Stay Positive.

You must continue to believe that you will eventually receive what  you want. To stay on course  disregard setbacks and failures. They will come. They will combat your life, but you must stay on course.  Setbacks, distractions, detours will present themselves.  These setbacks are only good for gaining experience.  Study your mistakes with the intention of learning from them and you may discover alternative methods for hitting your goals.  If you continue to believe you can achieve. Explore the options and make it happen.

Revisit Your Goals Regularly.

We all need something to drive us to take action.  Revisiting your goals on a consistent basis reminds you where you are and what must be done.  If your mind can see and believe in your goals you have a better chance to achieve them, so write them down and read them often.  Talk about your aspirations to yourself and to others who support you.  Keep reminding yourself  why you are sacrificing and working hard.  Focusing on your dreams will give you the necessary inspiration  to achieve your dreams and goals.

“The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get.”

Jim Rohn

End The Anger

All of us are capable of experiencing various emotions. We can be sad, depressed, confused, overjoyed and happy or we can be mad or angry, railing at the world. All of these emotions are natural and normal because we are humans. But we all express emotions differently and many of us are capable of expressing feelings effectively while others struggle daily.

I truly believe, unless a medical problem exists you can choose to control your emotions. Some people choose to be angry. Angry at everything and everybody. Our anger is communicated through words and actions. When our expression tends to cause more harm than good, then we have a problem with managing our anger. It is healthy to release your anger as it enables you to eventually rid yourself of it. But you must be careful how that anger is expressed outwardly. When you tend to be overwhelmed by your emotion, and express it destructively, then it is wise to seek anger management.

Anger management involves a clinical approach to addressing the problem. A psychiatrist, or whoever you choose to consult with, would first help you identify the triggers that tend to make you mad. And then analyze your reactions. Based on your responses, they will then come up with suggestions and concrete steps to improve your reaction guided by their expertise. Until you find what triggers outrage and anger, until you find what makes you mad at everyone and everything, you cannot find the peace or happiness that you seek. Remember, you may have to undergo some tests to accurately validate if you have a problem. Let the experts determine any treatment.

Some problems can be approached in a simpler fashion. You can learn to develop and maintain a more positive attitude. Encourage a healthy environment. Being angry is normal; we all have our moments, but you must channel that anger into a more constructive form of expression and communicate your feelings in a manner that is more relaxed. Talk it out. Pray about it. Release that pent-up anger through dialogue -– not argument — and then divert your attention to things that will not make you angry.

Getting angry is part of human nature. We all cry out against injustice, incessant greed, reckless drivers and more. There are so many reasons or excuses to get angry. You just have to make sure that you are able to handle your emotions whenever the situation calls for it. Anger management is controlling and dealing with those emotions that take us out of ourselves and causes harm and hurt to family, loved ones and co-workers. We must exert the effort to stay mentally fit and mature to address our situations effectively.

So, what can you do to end the anger?

1. Suppress negative thoughts. Don’t allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts and play the scenario over and over in your head. It will drive you mad.

2. Be positive. Count your blessings and be positive. Dwell on the thoughts that will make you feel happy.

3. Learn to mediate. Mediation can be very productive for reducing or stopping your anger. Pause and breathe to calm yourself.

4. Get busy. Do not dwell on anger. Get busy with your body and mind on another task that will absorb that energy. Exercises, do aerobics or some type of mental challenge.

5. Walk away. You continue the anger when you maintain contact with that person or situation. Take a walk and cool off.

Anger is OK. Rage is not.

• Recognize your anger

• Identify the cause

• Resist jumping to conclusions

• Realize underlying causes

• Control the energy of your anger

“When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.”

Thomas Jefferson

Created For A Purpose!

You may have heard sometime in your life that you were not planned. That you were “an accident”. We have heard that from parents and relatives and sadly, that stays with a person through their life. A statement like that — if it is believed – can cause people to live their lives accordingly.  They go to work, come home, experience mediocre events, and hang around waiting for something extraordinary to happen, but it can’t or won’t, because they are just accidents. Right? Wrong!  Nothing extraordinary happens out of the blue or just by accident. Everything happens for a reason, including you.

The truth is, no one is an accident and every person on the globe has a purpose. Now that may be hard to believe, but it is true! Life is a journey that you take to find and “fulfill” your purpose. Regardless of where you were born, who your parents are, how you were raised, whether you were poor or rich, your gender or color. None of that really matters. Everyone has a purpose.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize this and they spend the majority of their time living an un-purposeful and un-eventful life. We work jobs we hate; put up with people we can’t tolerate, and settle for paychecks that can’t cover our bills. Why? Sometimes we just don’t understand our purpose. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that you won’t ever find yourself in a position where you hate your job, are sick of people, and accept peanuts (paycheck) thankfully for your compensation. I am not judging anyone for doing that. I have found myself in those predicaments on several occasions. Yet, when a person stays in those type of situations with no plan to do better, be better, or live better — that is a clear sign they don’t understand their purpose.

There is a famous proverb that says “a person’s gift will make room for her”. That means that when a person finds their gifts or what they are good at in life and pursues it wholeheartedly, it (gift) will make room or open doors for that person. In other words, there is something on the inside of every one of us that is medicine for others. We all have gifts. They will be different from someone else’s but nevertheless they are gifts. Gifts are doorways to a person’s purpose. Making people laugh is a gift. Not everyone can do it. Keeping others cool and calm in chaotic times is a gift.

Many will be challenged and use their gifts as stepping stones to their purpose. Others waste or do nothing with their talents. Still others will not realize their purpose until they start to explore those simple gifts more. The moment a person starts to take risks and begins to explore and display those gifts is the moment they become unsatisfied with the normal life. When people become passionate about using their gifts to help others, they will realize that there just might be more to life and perhaps they are integral to making life better for themselves and others.

Sadly, few people have realized their purpose in life. Some are still searching, hoping. Longing to find where they fit or what they can do to make a difference. Those that are on track or have discovered their gift have started on a venture that has changed their communities and in some cases, changed the world. When one truly understands and knows their purpose, nothing deters them from fulfilling it. Staying on the simple path of purpose brings perfect peace, fulfillment and everything they have need of. So, find your purpose and share it with the world and forever write your name in the history books of life. Remember, you are not an accident. You are here for a reason and you CAN make a difference.

Li’s Latest Book Teaches Leaders About Openness

Given the speed with which information travels on the Internet, company leaders can no longer remain in secluded enclaves when company information leaks. When a misstep causes an uproar, it’s amplified by the abundance of channels, the ease of no-cost information sharing, and the imperative some feel to share/spread information and opinions widely via social media.

“What’s really going on here is that the fundamental rules that have governed how relationships work are being re-written…” says Charlene Li in her new book, Open Leadership: How Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead.

The imperative for business, then, is to redefine how those relationships will operate, according to Li, since “devolving into chaos or, worse, letting things take their natural course are certain recipes for disaster.” Foremost in an organization’s list of things to do should be to develop guidelines and specify the commitment they expect from these new relationships.

Li, co-author of the popular Groundswell which she collaborated on with Josh Bernoff in 2008, is Founder of Altimeter Group, a California-based strategy consulting firm.

“Open Leadership: Having the confidence and humility to give up the need to be in control while inspiring commitment from people to accomplish goals.”

In her latest book, Li takes businesses step-by-step through building and executing on an open social strategy. From demonstrating the need for companies to become more open; to defining what that means with the 10 Elements of Openness; creating an openness strategy; measuring the benefits of being open; detailing the guidelines, policies and procedures some companies are using to be engaged; through to the nuts and bolts of managing an open strategy, Li’s style and interesting real-life examples keeps readers engaged in this process.

But even the perfect strategy isn’t enough without leaders who are open to execute it, Li explains. “Leadership will require a new approach, new mindset, and new skills. It won’t be enough to be a good communicator. You will have to be comfortable sharing personal perspectives and feelings to develop closer relationships.”

Li details characteristics and skills necessary for effective leadership, identifying and nurturing this talent in an organization, and how to lead and recover through a failure. The book wraps up by examining how leaders are transforming their organizations to be more open out of economic and marketplace necessity.

Negative Thinking Creates Negative Talk

Every day of our life we are faced with negative talk and negative thinking. Have you also noticed that negative language and negative self-talk is so disempowering?

Only 10% of our mind is conscious while 90% is unconscious. The conscious mind is our rational, logical and analytical mind and is said to hold our temporary memory. But our unconscious mind on the other hand is irrational and it is where we form our beliefs and habits. We store everything we have ever learned in our unconscious mind. It is also the compartment of our emotions. All behavior is considered unconscious and all learning and change happens at the unconscious level. Your unconscious mind is just like a robot and it takes all the commands you direct it to. Your unconscious mind is doing the best job it can with the directions you are providing it. So say it the way you want it. Direct your thoughts. Pay attention to what you are saying and thinking and therefore communicating to your unconscious mind. Another key fact about the unconscious mind is that it does not process negatives. Therefore it does not hear or process the word “not.” Consider this example. You say to a 4-year-old child, “don’t touch that stove, it’s hot.” What does the 4-year-old do? He or she is curious and reaches to touch the hot stove. Why? Because we just put that idea in the 4-year-old’s mind. So, think of your unconscious mind like that of a child. In order to have your child obey your command you have to say something like “leave that alone.” It’s the same message, but yields two very different results.

Do you ever listen to the language people are using? When you listen very carefully, the language that people use tells us so much about themselves and what is going on in their heads. You may have heard some of these negative phrases. “Work is driving me crazy.” “Get off my back.”  “He is a pain in the neck.” “You’re killing me.” “You’re giving me a headache.” “You will never amount to anything.” Sound familiar? You get what you think about,  so say it the way you want it. Listen very carefully and pay close attention to the words you are using. You must realize the message you are sharing with your children, family, friends and co-workers. What are you really telling your unconscious mind? Say it, the way you want it.

Practice turning negative, disempowering language into positive, empowering language: When someone asks you “how are you today,” instead of saying “not bad,” say “fantastic” or “unbelievable.” You will immediately begin to feel great, even if you weren’t feeling well to start with. When someone says “thanks,” instead of saying “no problem” say “you are welcome” or “anytime.”

Think about this:

~ Think and then verbalize what you want your results to be. Your words are like gifts that you give out and take in.

~ When you catch yourself saying something negative, replace it immediately with something more positive. For example. “I feel sick today” is replaced with “I’d like to feel better.”

~ Eliminate the words “should” and “have to” from your self-talk. These words imply obligation and will build resentment over time.

~ Avoid using the word “try” which implies potential failure.

~ It takes time to establish a habit, so practice positive self-talk every day.

~ Remember to say it the way you want it!

“We all need a daily check up from the neck up to avoid stinkin ‘thinkin’ which ultimately leads to hardening of the attitudes.”  Zig Ziglar