Daily Mood Quote - May 31, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 27 – May 31, 2011

“Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”

~Unknown

Everyday is an opportunity to make your dreams come true. With every opportunity comes challenges and achieving those dreams takes time and effort. My husband is an amazing artist, he has a gift, a true talent. But somewhere in his life, he set aside the patience to sit down and perfect a painting. Life in the face-paced advertising business has changed his approach to art. But the fact remains, things of great quality take time to craft. This also applies to peoples lives; It is one thing to aspire to a quality “life dream,” but it takes time, patience and more than a fair amount of dedication, to achieve that dream.

We are living in a frenetic world, often dictated by advertising messages that more, better, faster and bigger will give you a good quality life, it's the “Just do what I say, and you'll be happy” theory. Someone else's dream, usually the person who is trying to sell you something and that's the problem. In many cases that problem “pushing” is what leads to real problems. Far too often our dream is set aside for the urgent version of what we should be doing, or where we should be going. At the end of the day, it's someone else's dream that is being realized and our dream can get lost in the shuffle of the urgent.

Dreams don't happen without a reason. We're not talking about the everyday daydreams, but the BIG life calling dream. Sometimes the reason is bigger than you and sometimes the life calling dream will seem crazy to people around you. Practical folks will usually argue against it. But, like Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) in the movie Field of Dreams, realizing that dream has a rolling positive effect on those you know and some that you don't. In the movie, Ray's baseball field, not only helped him resolve a life issue, but also Terrance Mann's (James Earl Jones), "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's (Ray Liotta), "Moonlight" Archie Graham's (Burt Lancaster) and the dream of Ray's father, John Kinsella (Dwier Brown). The dream spoke, “Build it and he will come” and Terrance Mann later reiterated “Oh, they most certainly will come.” They and the financial solution did. Following the dream and building something remarkable, also built the solution to Ray's problems. Conversely, when you are pushed by problems, chances are very good you will only be pushed into more problems.

Not everyone is meant to build a baseball field in the middle of Iowa. I guess what I'm saying is, when you reach for your dream, you better yourself, and those around you... perhaps in ways you don't yet know, or understand. When you let your problems push you around, nobody ends up happy.

What steps will you take towards your "life dream" today?

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Thank you for reading

Daily Mood Quote - May 30, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 26 – May 30, 2011

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

~unknown

Having optimism, being optimistic, even when life is challenging, is perhaps one of life's more important skills to learn. Some people are natural born optimists and they “always see the glass half full.” Make no mistake...that's a gift. No matter what their situation, their optimism brings them peace and a degree of happiness that the half-empty folks can never obtain. Even when half-empty folks do achieve success, they are still waiting for that glass to fill up or the “other shoe to drop”.

In the movie Kung Fu Panda, Oogway (played by Randall Duk Kim) said to Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today is a gift, that's why they call it the present!” It's an ancient wisdom that has been past along throughout literature. And in that bit of wisdom is the key to an optimistic life. Look not at the past, nor too far ahead, but on what you can do right now to begin to fill your personal life's glass. So, to those who already view each day as a gift, I salute you. To those who work to maintain and grow their optimism, you have my encouragement. And to those of us, who are working on developing optimism as a way of life, it is within your grasp, because the change lies within your heart.

Will you seek and find the “gift” today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 29, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 25 – May 29, 2011

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

~Henry David Thoreau

This morning, I watched a great video by Alexandra Robbins, author of “The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Quirk Theory”. Her point of view was “how awesome it is to be different?” In a world that pushes with so much emphasis on conformity, its sometimes difficult to embrace our individuality. The fact of the matter is the pressure to conform is as old as mankind. Perhaps it comes from our need for survival, because man worked in teams to secure dinner for the families. Those who stuck out (or worked alone) usually became the dinner in the wild of the prehistoric world. Like other ancient behaviors, this particular trait has run its course. It is no longer a survival advantage to blend in, or to be one of the drones.

Many of us march to a different drummer, or in this case, beat. Not the least of which is Lady Gaga. On American Idol's season finale, Lady Gaga's performance, though a bit over the top, was for the young audience and definitely different. Too hot for me. A different drummer to be certain. Although she is a media sensation and wildly successful, she, in a March 2010 interview with BBCI, revealed that she too considers herself an outcast. It is her difference that makes her a superstar. I enjoy Lady Gaga's music, it's fun and full of energy, but as a product of another generation, her videos cause me to blush.

The simple facts are that, without the contributions of “unique” individuals, we just might still be stuck chasing our food with sticks. We are all given unique gifts and its from those gifts many would consider “quirky” and “different” that the great leaps of mankind have occurred. This includes the computer, pad, laptop, or Smart phone that you are currently reading this on. That all began with a couple of outsiders named Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Not mainstream guys to be certain, yet today for better or worse, we all see them as iconic.

Robert Carradine (Lewis) in Revenge of the Nerds said not so eloquently… "Because when it comes to standing out you will find…. There's a lot more of us than there are of you.... Any of you that have ever felt stepped on, left out, picked on, put down, whether you think you're a nerd or not, why don't you just come down here and join us. Okay? Come on.” 

Embrace the difference, it makes a difference.

What unique gift do you have that you will embrace today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 28, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 24 – May 28, 2011

Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. 

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Yesterday, My husband and I ran into a friend who shared with us a difficult decision, that needed to be made in his family. My heart tugged for him and his family. There are two types of decisions we make everyday (business decisions excluded). Decisions we make for ourselves and decisions we make for others. Sometimes the decisions you would make yourself, is not the decision you would make for a loved one. This is where the head and the heart generally disconnect. Often the common sense, practical decision cuts at our being, as we struggle to do what is right, but do so in the board room of the heart. The question isn't really “What is best”, there is an addendum on the question that adds ...for them, me and for all the stakeholders. If you choose “for me” then you can set yourself up for remorse. If you choose “for them”, you often deny your own worth. If you choose “for everyone involved”, somebody surely won't be happy with your call. If you choose to do nothing then life makes that decision and more times than not, nobody is happy.

While I can't say without qualification that the “for everybody involved” is the best decision all the time, I believe it is better to bear the pain of potential criticism and make the logical and responsible call, than to let your or a loved one's “wants” make that call. You need to be confident enough in your own process to make the “what is right” call. It may be tough on our emotional heart, but our hearts are resilient things when we know the facts and face the truths.

In the movie Star Trek III: The Search of Spock, Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) said to Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock), “...Because the needs of the one, outweigh the needs of the many.” The key is to understand the difference between the “needs” and the “wants.” In the situation regarding our friend, what needs to be done should take precedent over the wants of the heart, or everyone may end up suffering, needlessly. We wish him grace in his decision making and peace after the decision is made.

What process “wants or needs” will you use in making the tough decisions?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 27, 2011

Daily Mood Quote
Day 23 - May 27, 2011

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
~Unknown

Today, I dedicate this blog to great friends.

Friends are buds, pals, sisters, brothers and the person who loves your good days, endures your bad moods, and shares the laughter of your life. I believe in this world, everyone has a best friend, maybe two or three. Though some of us may not have had the good fortune to have met our best friend yet and occasionally, some of us haven't yet realized the best friend standing next to us. To the ones who have found their best friends, you have found the greatest gift (next to having children and true love) life has to offer.

I have such a friend, in fact, I have a couple of them. In a month, I will celebrate a 30 year friendship with my best friend.  A while ago, someone ask me, "How do you keep a friendship for 30 years?" I laughed and told her, "the success of our friendship comes from the fact that we have never lived in the same city, or state since I become an adult." Thank goodness for unlimited calling minutes.  She is older than I, only by a couple of years,  but don't tell anyone… That's a 30 year secret and she reminds each year that I am catching up.

She (name withheld to protect the friendship) has been my friend for the longest period of time, and our friendship is truly golden. That said, I am fortunate to have more than one "best friend." Each from a different era of my life. Some of my best friends happen to be male and quite platonic, despite what Billy Crystal as Harry said in When Harry met Sally to Meg Ryan (Sally), "Men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way." This is not true, men and woman can be great and lifelong friends, without the sex part. I have such a friend, whom I served with many years ago and though much time has past, we are still best friends. He and I are friends "like peas and carrots", (thanks Tom Hanks). Very different to be sure, but best friends never the less…

So, here's to best friends, both known and yet to be found. Thank you for the memories we have shared and those yet to come, for the laughter that has made my cheeks hurt, the times we needed to lean on each other and the memories I will cherish a lifetime.

To Friends…

To whom will you extend the hand of friendship today?

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Thank you for reading.

Daily Mood Quote - May 26, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 22 – May 26, 2011

 

Never, never, never give up

~Winston Churchill

Sometimes the process of living can be an unpredictable thing. While it is true, or at least generally accepted that those who fail to plan, plan to fail... No matter how well you plan, things beyond your control, the weather, people, medical issues can take your plans and scatter them like so many dandelion seeds in the wind and you have to start again. Very rarely are you in a better position after the Storms of Life (thank you Randy Travis) blow you away. For many of us over the past several months, that literally has been true. Many people will offer words of comfort and hopefully help. However, it is up to each of us individually to make that commitment inside ourselves to never, never, never quit. To forge ahead in spite of circumstance.

To be fair, that is easier said than done. Crushed plans, dreams, and hopes can make us believe there is a bleak future, but the future is unwritten and it remains full of possibilities for those who don't quit. Like Clint Eastwood in the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales said “...'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is.”

Remember that each day of our life is a gift. My husband has always said, “The sun shines after every storm” and I didn't believe him, so being the person I am, I tested that theory. Every time there was a big storm, I (being silly) tracked the sun, and oddly enough, every time it stormed, the sun did shine afterwards. It popped right out there as if to say, “I needed a nap and now I back, refreshed and ready to go.” Nighttime storms excluded of course. The morning did bring the sun, though sometimes there was fog. The important thing here is that I looked for the sun. I may have been up to my knees in mud puddles and muck, both literally and figuratively, but that is what you need to do. You need to resolve to look for the sun. Every life has storms at one time or another. In my family its my fading vision and my husband's painful neuropathy, that will eventually take away his ability to walk. So where's the sun in that? I believe that together we shall carry on, and “it's a good thing we love each other, because it looks like we are going to be spending a lot of time together.” Love brings with it the sun.

Where will your “sunshine after the storm” come from today?

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Thank you for reading

Daily Mood Quotes - May 25, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 21 – May 25, 2011

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

~James D. Miles

In the movie The American President, President Andrew Shepherd (played by Micheal Douglas) said “...I've been here three years and three days, and I can tell you without hesitation: Being President of this country is entirely about character.” 
 

Yesterday, our family dog destroyed my husband's glasses and his reaction revealed a little bit about his character. Even tempered, balanced, a little laughter and one big, giant son-of-aaaa-bi@#$ (thanks Uncle Joe). The point is, it didn't reveal everything. Character is a three dimensional concept. You can't see everything at once and it takes some time to see all the sides. We need to view character much like a ball, within the light of the events of the moment. Different lights make different views.

So often in life, we tend to judge people and ourselves solely on one event, or light, without taking the time to walk around the entire object. Things and people are not always what they appear to be at first observation. My family has faced their fair share of challenges and also have had a few successes. Each of these has shone a different light on one side of our character, or the other. How you handle these situations reveals only one aspect of your character at a time, and that is how you treat people who can do nothing for you. When you're successful, how you treat the everyday people you meet on the streets, in the supermarkets, or elsewhere who may not be as successful, shines a spotlight on your character. It can reveals cracks that even you didn't know you had. When you have a failure, how you treat those same people and people who happen to be successful at that moment, can shine a global light on your character. People will look from all sides and you should too. It's true, folks can achieve success without character, however in the long run they are neither respected, nor liked and they have done nothing to advance their own spirit.

People can certainly fail without character, but that doesn't mean people who have failed have little or no character. Robert Kennedy said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” History is ripe with people of great character who have fallen on hard times. Much like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, who both filed bankruptcy. Yet history has revealed the long-term power of their character. Lincoln lead the nation through a time of unprecedented tribulation and lead a charge for civil rights and civil unity that defines our nation, and; Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence... it wasn't to get out of paying his bills.

An unattributed quote that rings true is “adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it,”. My husband has been saying this for nearly 30 years. However, it only reveals it in one light, the light of the moment, its not a 360 degree view. Whether you are faced with adversity, or you know someone that is, don't let the light of the moment define the total understanding of their character. Be kind and non-judgmental to yourself and others, until you can gain some perspective and a new light.

What light shines on your character today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 24, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 20 – May 24, 2011

I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl.
~Penny Ward Moser

This morning when I woke up, I had no idea what today's quote or mood would be, but sometimes material presents itself (thanks Ray Romano). As we began our day, my husband began searching for his glasses. They were no where to be found, at least at first. Then a glimmer of reflective light from the floor caught my eyes. Then I realized, "that which we had feared had come to pass." Our big, dumb, goofy dog, Chester had eaten my husband's glasses.

Chester is a mixed breed rescue that was too much for his other family, and we have come to understand why. If it's not pinned down, or too high to reach, it becomes a doggy hor d'oeuvre when no one is around. From tissues to pens, to slippers, and more...Chester has given us good reason for caution. We search the floor every night for small items more thoroughly than a carrier crew walks the flight deck. Last night, my husband made the mistake of setting his glasses down, when he woke up in the middle of night with indigestion (it was taco night). This morning dawn broke and his titanium glasses where mangled beyond recognition. Supposed to last a lifetime, I guess they didn't count on a dog named Chester. The only things that stood the test of Chester's teeth were the polycarbonite lens, scratched, but still intact. The frame however, looked like a doggy chew toy. Is there anything this damn dog won't eat?

John Grogan (played by Owen Wilson) in the movie, Marley and Me said, “A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes (good thing, because Chester would eat them). A water log stick will do just fine (or in our case anything that fits in Chester's mouth and few things that won't). A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor (good thing because Chester is putting us in the poor house), clever or dull (it's a good thing he's pretty, because he's a slow study), smart or dumb (again, could be the dumbest dog on the planet). Give him your heart and he'll give you his (after he eats everything else). How many people can you say that about (none of my friends eat my stuff)? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special (while pissing me off in the process)? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?”(or totally exasperated!)

When it all comes down to it, it's only stuff and it really doesn't compare to Chester's loyalty, or his fierce protection of our family against wind, thunderstorms and rabbits. I'm just happy he hasn't figured out how to remove the lid from the trash can. Well off to the eye doctor.

Whose loyalty will you cherish above their faults today?

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Thank you for reading!

Daily Mood Quotes - May 23, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 19 – May 23, 2011

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

~Albert Einstein

Growing up in a family that never promoted higher education and never tried anything new, doomed me to making mistakes. I personally have made many mistakes, but I have learned from each and every mistake I've ever made. Sometimes, I would walk away shaking my head saying, “Another lesson learned the hard way.” And sometimes, I failed to learn the lesson the first time. Uneducated, hardheaded and arrogant, I thought I knew it all. So, sometimes I made the same mistake twice.

The issue isn't making mistakes, it's “not learning from them.” It's failing to learn, grow and pass on that knowledge on to the next generation. So far, I have found that the biggest mistake one can make is not trying. It doesn't matter what your doing or what your aim is, if you don't try, it's a guaranteed failure. Fear, laziness, apathy, or ignorance are some of the reasons most of us don't try. Fear is the worst and it is the root of all misery (that's a blog for another day). Lets face it, as humans we are all afraid of something and there is such a thing as healthy fear, but we should never be afraid to try. Another great and relevant quote is by Alfred Lord Tennyson (twisted to fit context, not by me.) “Better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all.”

No one is provided a clear message of their destiny. Mostly, our destinies are fulfilled by growing up, trying, and yes, making mistakes along the way. That's the way it works. Together, trial and error have inched humanity forward for thousands of generations. In the movie, Maid in Manhattan, where Jennifer Lopez played a housekeeper in a posh hotel. She made a mistake, several actually. She took a chance, lost her job and then was subsequently told by Lionel, her manager (played by Bob Hoskins) “What we do, Miss Ventura, does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after falling.” In the end, it all worked out. She took a chance, moreover she rose above what was and “where she came from” to be the person she always aspired to be and found love in the process. Way to go!

So, don't worry about the mistake(s) that have been made. What will your “anything new” be today?

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Daily Mood Quotes - May 22, 2011

 Daily Mood Quote

Day 18 – May 22, 2011

We are each burdened with prejudice; against the poor or the rich, the smart or the slow, the gaunt or the obese. It is natural to develop prejudices. It is noble to rise above them. ~Author Unknown

Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances. ~Wayne W. Dyer

Welcome back, I see many of us have survived the "end of the world" day.  Well, we have December 21, 2012 to look forward too. 

All things considered, I'm happy that we woke up this morning and the sun is shining. A new day with new opportunities lay before us.

No movie quote today.

What opportunities await you?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 21, 2011

 Daily Mood Quote

Day 17 – May 21, 2011

“Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you”

~Ogden Nash

Saturday's are now the days of housework, laundry, grocery shopping and meal planning for next week. So come Saturday night, rest is all I'm looking for, along with a good movie.

I have heard on the news, read on the internet and saw in papers that today, May 21, 2011 was the day "the end of the world is to begin. I wonder, should I plan my meals for next week? I truly wasn't going to touch this subject, but the movie menu on television last night was crying out for comment. Armageddon, The Seven Signs of Apocalypse, Apocalypse Now, and 2012 were the movies of choice. Needless to say, I went to bed early. Not that these movies aren’t entertaining and some of them are quite well done, in fact we own two of them. The point is that ready or not, another prediction of the end of things will (most likely) come to naught or not. Why do we listen to these folks? Let's face it they are only looking for their 15 minutes of fame, even if they know and we know their compass is off a few degrees. I wonder though who will call tonight, and will it be at 6pm?

Me, maybe I'll play the lottery tonight... With my luck, I'll win and the world will end. I will try not to panic today, but as Jackson Curtis played by John Cusack said in the movie 2012, “When they tell you not to panic... that's when you run!” If the world ends as predicted, this might be my last blog, but....tune in tomorrow anyway. The Mayans and their calendar just might be the ones who are right! We'll see come December 21, 2012...

How do you feel about the end of the world?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 20, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 16 – May 20, 2011

Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks.

~Isaac Watts

This quote comes because of a story my husband shared with me this morning. A local radio station ask the question, “Should woman allow men to change their baby girl's diapers?”

Well, I have several schools of though on this: First, what in the hell has gone wrong with our society? I don't pretend to have the answers, but I wonder if there isn't something in the water here? Overwhelmingly, (10 to 1 ratio), woman said, “No I would not let my husband change our daughter's diapers.” WHAT??? I have grown children now, so diaper changing isn't a part of our life anymore (until the grandchildren arrive, then pappy’s changing diapers). However, I was tripping the light fantastic when my husband took the lead on the care of our children when they were young, including diaper changing. It meant I got a break.

So, the question is, “Why do these woman think like this?” Is it they don't trust their husband to do a good job? This is reasonable, because sometimes guys can be ham handed (clunky). When my husband listened to this story and upon hearing the women's comments, his first thought was, “Do they (woman) think that all men are recalcitrant pervs?” I understand the media has really beat that drum for the last couple of years and public awareness is riding very high. But really, dad's now can't change their own children's diapers? Again, What??

In the movie, Three Men and Baby with Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson, the baby was a little girl and the men were all working professionals, single and no children ,or experience (or so they thought). Mary arrived on the doorstep and life became chaotic. While they were squeamish about changing a diaper, I don't remember anybody getting up and leaving the movie theater because men were changing a diaper, it was actually funny! But, I do remember Tom Selleck saying “I'll pay you $1,000 to change the diaper.” Has society really changed that much in 24 years? I don't think so. I do believe we can be so overwhelmed by the negative, that we forget the positive and we begin to doubt even ourselves and good judgement. Trust has to start with ourselves. When self doubt creeps in, it tends to overflow common sense and drown out the voice of reason. Then emotions and fears take over.

Married life is all about teamwork. That includes changing diapers, cooking and cleaning. We are all equal and accountable for our actions. Men no less than women and women no less than men. If a man excluded a woman from a vital child rearing activity, she would scream sexism and probably a few other choice words. Seems like that might be happening in reverse these days. At least out here in the middle of the country. It boils down to trust yourself and marry someone you can trust. Well duh!

What does teamwork look like to you today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 19, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 15 – May 19, 2011

“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”

~ Unknown

I recently attended a school function that left me feeling... disappointed. My first interaction was listening to the coordinator of the event (and I use that term loosely) “tell”, not ask the teenagers who were manning the table to “Make sure you grab the money.” she also chastised the teens about the people who were already admitted and did not pay, who knew? This was a teacher sponsored event through the school (I think), that was poorly promoted and therefore no one knew it was a paid event. Many people walking in to support their children, or friends of their children, were taken by surprise at the cost. Even earlier conversations with the participants didn't reveal that there was a charge. They had received an information sheet about this event and even some of that information was incorrect. Yes, it was on a webpage, buried three miles deep, on an obscure sub-site, no one ever goes too. The main high school site carried no information about the event, or the cost, whatsoever. After leaving the event, my honest feelings regarding this, “Folks paid top dollar for a half-hearted effort” by the staff coordinators. It is sad that this has become acceptable, the kids deserve better.

My life lessons have arrived via multiple avenues. Such as accidental role models, an occasional good movie, or sometimes in a book. I like the ladder analogy, with every step comes experience, with every experience comes the lessons right, wrong and maybe I'll understand later. The point is that adults who have climbed that ladder need to pass along the good from each rung and discern what steps they should not let others take. Here's what the kids learned yesterday from their teacher sponsor. Don't be upfront about costs. Sloppy work is OK, because it's all about grabbing the money. And if a customer disagrees with you, get aggressive, defensive and argumentative. I can't see those as positive steps in those children's life ladder. Do you? Great job!!

Crosby Stills, Nash and Young sang “Teach your children well...” and in today's hyper-fast, slap-dash world, I see less and less of that. It seems as if we have forgotten the basic lessons that have carried humanity forward for the past two millennia. My husband chose to simply walk away and get some space, rather than engage in an argument with this teacher over something so trivial. Neither did he, or I accept, or capitulate to her belligerent attitude. Ladder lesson: You don’t have to accept substandard behavior, products, or services “just because”. In the end, my daughter who is a quick wit and shrewd negotiator, got us in at no charge, as she rapidly pointed out the errors and stood toe-to-toe in a positive manner with this person. Ladder lesson: Always stand up for what you know is right. Sometimes the ladder steps we occasionally forget are the ones our children use to teach us. I am very proud of her.

 

No movie quote today, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young said it best, “Teach your children well... and you of tender years... teach your parents well.”

 

What will you teach and what lessons will you learn today?

 

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Daily Mood Quote - May 18, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 14 – May 18, 2011

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

-Jamie Paolinetti-

I have always believed that limitations are chains that one puts on themselves. On November 12, 2002, I was told I was losing my sight. My first reaction was, my life is over. Actually, my life was just beginning. It's amazing how clear the world became to me. Society tends to make broad generalizations such as, “you can't see, you can't do,” you can't hear, you can't know” and “you can't walk, you can't participate.” None of these things are true. These are folktales at best and prejudice at worse. If you look at history's examples you find that many have risen beyond societies preconceived notions to achieve the remarkable. A few examples include Helen Keller who was blind and deaf, yet rose to heights that many of us only dream of reaching. Many would argue that Beethoven did his best work after he lost his hearing. A wheelchair bound Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32^nd President of the United States, carried our country on his shoulders, through the two most grave threats the nation has ever faced, The Great Depression and World War II. History is full of such examples.

The achievements of the aforementioned examples are what can be accomplished, when we believe in ourselves and limitless possibilities. I am inspired by these stories and will not allow my vision loss to decrease my vision of what life can be. Richard Bach in his book Illusions puts it best, “Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours.”. What does it mean? Simply, the only limitations people have are the one they resign themselves too. Mr. Bach also wrote “There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.” That one is also true. While we may not always actively “seek” our problems, ultimately they all come bearing some gift that we can use to better ourselves, or teach others. Although, we may not appreciate the “gift” at first sight, or in my case, not sight.

In the past nine years, my physical vision has deteriorated, it is hard to see distance, although I still reach for my dreams and envision a greater future than ever before. I can no longer drive a car, but my drive for success is stronger than ever. As Fräulein Maria (played by Julie Andrews) said in The Sound of Music “When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” The window I have found is a greater appreciation of the gifts in my life and what my true life goals are. The window is open and the view is terrific!

What is your limitless vision?

Tune in tomorrow to read the Daily Mood Quote

Daily Mood Quote - May 17, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day Thirteen – May 17, 2011

Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
~William Shakespeare

Greatness is in everyone of us. It is the everyday Mom who listens to her children when there is a problem or question; the Dad who helps with the tough homework, the sibling or friend, who takes the time to compliment. Its the boss who says, "thank you." Its in the stranger who shares a smile, or holds a door open. You don't need to be a famous name, known worldwide, to be great. You don't need to hold a nationally known title to be considered great. Each of us “ordinary people” possess the greatness to positively affect someones life everyday.

In the movie “Mr Holland's Opus,” Mr. Holland (played by Richard Dreyfuss) was an ordinary person, who sought fame and riches through his music.  Instead he found greatness in his little town, by being the music teacher at John F. Kennedy High School. Gertrude Lang (played by Alicia Witt) former student and governor said this:

“Mr. Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know. But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent. Rumor had it he was always working on this symphony of his. And this was going to make him famous, rich, probably both. But Mr. Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life.”

Greatness is built one kind act, on top of one caring act, on top of one thoughtful act... We can all be great if we take it one simple outreach at a time.

How will you be great today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 16, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day Twelve – May 16, 2011

My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh-anything but work.

~Abraham Lincoln

What a great way to start a new work week with an honest quote from honest Abe. 

 

My parents never taught me the value of hard work, we were a struggling family my entire childhood. It wasn't until I went into the military that I learned the value of hard work. Unfortunately, that hard work came with long hours, exhaustion and low pay. One day a friend of mine said, “I now know the value of hard work, it's more hard work.” I laughed and she was right. I think sometimes we have to learn what hard work is, in order to understand working smart.

Working smart doesn't mean taking advantage of other people, or getting them to do your work. Working smart is about leveraging your best abilities to do what you love to do. We are all born to do something, fill some role and we should do that to the best of our abilities. I doubt seriously its worker drone. In the movie Star Trek, the J.J Abrams version..., Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) meets a young James Kirk (Chris Pine) after a bar room brawl and says, “You can settle for less in ordinary life, or do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special.” I believe we are all meant for something special in are own way. Let's work hard toward that.

What is your something special, something better?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 15, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day Eleven – May 15, 2011

“In life you are going to make mistakes, you're going to fall down, but it's the getting up that counts. Just like in baseball: you'll get a few hits, but most likely, you'll strike out more than you'll get on base. But don't quit. Find your focus, relax, take a deep breath and give it a good swing"

~Dave Pelzer

I have always believed that honesty is the best policy. Much like baseball, you either hit the ball, or you don't, there is no equivocation. You can't stand there and say, “I hit the ball a little”...there is no such thing. Just like bad moods. Yesterday, I was in a bad mood, not a little bad mood, or a “sort of” bad mood, a bad mood. It was not of my own conscious choice, or anyone else's doing. I am a woman, and women have bad moods. Sometimes more often than not. I am at an age where “the change happens” and everyday can be a guessing game for me and my family. What mood is she in today? Should we walk lightly, or run like hell? Bunt, sacrifice, or swing away and pray? However, you should never step into the pitch! It's not really that bad. The thing is, you should always acknowledge your state of mind and give others fair warning. It's said: To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Being a woman can be quite comical, we can be sweet as strawberry pie, or the demon on the hill, it just depends on “the mood.” I along with my daughters recently watched “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” the character Ben (played by Matthew McConaughey) said it best, “You're like a freakin' one-woman circus.” Aren't we all in our own way? It made me laugh and reminded me of the potential of what I could put my family through, if I forget to acknowledge my moods. In the movie, Andy (played by Kate Hudson) was behaving badly on purpose for a research project. What a great job she did on nailing the mood swings of women.

I raised my children to believe the “PMS is not an excuse for bad behavior, in fact nothing is an excuse for bad behavior. Bad behavior is bad behavior, it's a choice.” Little did I realize this one lesson would come back to bit me on the backside. Honesty is the best policy, and we must practice what we teach.

                                         

Can you identify your mood today?

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Daily Mood Quote - May 14, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day Ten – May 14, 2011

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

I thought this was a great quote to share. Unfortunately, I'm having a bad mood day today. Bad moods happen, we all have them and we have to deal with them. I will deal with it through humor...Where is Jeff Dunham and Peanut when you need them?

Tune in tomorrow to read the Daily Mood Quote.