American composer Will L. Thompson wrote, “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed.” Continue reading
Month: August 2018 (Page 1 of 2)
Problems. Everyone has them. But if we see them as gifts it changes everything.
Obstacles cause us to grow, think critically, change our mind, become who we were meant to be.
I saw a Tony Robbins documentary last night and he said that although he had a hard childhood, he would not be the man he is proud to be today without that experience. His problems made him who he is. And it has allowed him to help millions. Continue reading
John McCain’s father and grandfather were both four-star admirals which is one of the highest ranks in the U.S. Navy. He was born into a military family. Although he attended the Naval Academy, his heart was in history and literature. He loved Ernest Hemingway. After graduating fifth from the bottom of his class as a rebellious student, he didn’t really take his military career seriously until after he survived a solo plane crash and a horrific fire on the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier that killed over 130 sailors. Then he was shot down over Vietnam and captured. He was a prisoner of war for five and a half years. He was sick, starved and tortured. At one point, he was offered early freedom because of his family’s military standing. But he refused unless all those captured before him were also released. Because of his decision, he was tortured even more. Continue reading
I just finished reading Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield. What an awakening! Steven says, “When we’re living as amateurs, we’re running away from our calling — meaning our work, our destiny, the obligation to become our truest and highest selves. Addiction becomes a surrogate for our calling. We enact the addiction instead of embracing the calling. Why? Because to follow a calling requires work. It’s hard. It hurts. It demands entering the pain-zone of effort, risk, and exposure.” Continue reading
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Grover Cleveland, Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were all U.S. Presidents. They also all lost their fathers when they were young. Continue reading
Comfort zones. It’s a challenge to leave them. I’m not a big long-distance driver. I do clock a lot of kilometers each week travelling to dance and school and hockey and groceries and all the things families do. But it’s usually local. However, this past weekend I veered off in a different direction. Continue reading
Worry. It can creep up on you and steal your power. As Corrie ten Boom, who helped many Jews escape the Nazis by hiding them in her house, said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” Continue reading
Of course I’ve heard of Tony Robbins. But when I listened to him on Tim Ferriss’ podcast last night I was so inspired. He had a challenging childhood and was raised by four different dads. As a child, he remembers a stranger coming to his door and giving his family a meal when they were hungry. He never forgot that man. It showed him that strangers cared. He currently feeds tens of millions of people meals each year through his programs. Continue reading
American president Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear can paralyze you. Stop you from speaking up, trying something new, making a change. Continue reading
The 80/20 rule keeps popping up in the books I’m reading lately. The fact that 20 per cent of your effort can give you 80 per cent of your results. If you choose the most efficient activities. Continue reading