Spend Your Time Wisely

Who are you spending your time with these days? Is it that same group of friends who hang out griping? I guarantee you that discussing the state of the economy and competing as to who has had the worst day are NOT going to help you move forward. While you can rely on these folks - some of them at least - for support, they may not be so good at giving you creative ideas for making positive changes in your life.

To quote Walter Cronkite, “ I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.” Success is a direct result of effort put forth; it has nothing to do with a lucky break. Many may not realize what happened behind the scenes in that which appears as someone’s lucky break.

Remember, don’t just follow the crowd to be normal, strive to be extraordinary … you’ll be glad you did!

Wise Words From My Father

“Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure.” ~Edward Thorndike

I’ve learned so much listening to my father at the dinner table over the years. This Father’s Day, I’d like to share a few of his wise words with you. They are:

• Never speak ill of those who have had you as a guest in their home.
• Never do business with one who has cheated on a spouse.
• Never forget that it takes only one person, one idea or one action to change your life forever.
• Pay less attention to what people say and carefully watch what they do.
• Even during inflation, a dime can be used as screwdriver.
• Don’t forget that right is right even if no one does it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone does it.
• When in a position to hire someone, ask yourself, “Is this someone I’d invite to my home for dinner?”
• It doesn’t help to have a road map if you can’t read it.
• When you meet a man you are interested in, ask him the name of the book he is currently reading.

With love, appreciation and the utmost respect … Happy Father’s Day, Daddy!

The Power of Silence

“Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.” ~Josh Billings

There are times when silence has the loudest voice. Occasions arise when the best way to say much is to say nothing. The eloquence of silence can be reprimanding, or consenting, or unanswerable, or persuasive.

So, when do we speak and when do we refrain? The answers: Say nothing when you have nothing to say, or when you have said enough, or when you don’t know how to say it, or when it is the wrong time, or when it would hurt others, or when it would fall on deaf ears.

Remember, silence requires character…

Quit? Never!

"The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight.  But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night."  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

There is an indescribable gratification in being able to say, “I’ve done it – the thing I sought to do – I’ve done it!” It is a tribute to consistency, that stickability which carries us through our adversities and lifts us over our obstacles, even those that appear insurmountable.

Persistence wins. If you are knocked down, don’t give up – get up; and if you can’t, crawl. It is all right to stop long enough to catch your breath, but do not surrender. The victory goes not to the person who is least hit, but to the one who won’t quit.