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Inspiration
PRESS ON
Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence
Talent will not;
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent
Genius will not;
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb
Education will not;
The world is full of educated derelicts
Persistence and Determination alone are Omnipotent.
PRAISING THE TRUE AMATEUR
It's hard to think of a word that has suffered a more drastic decline. Until the mid-20th century, to be called an amateur was high praise, with the root "ama" implying that you were doing something simply for the love of doing it. To be an amateur was several notches above mere glory seeking, a sign that you were a gentleman (or lady), someone for whom money was a given.
A similar reversal of fortune, in exactly the opposite direction, has been enjoyed by the word "professional." Once, the idea of professionalism was somewhat low-grade, marking those who actually had to sweat for their pay. Now there is no higher compliment than to say of someone, "She's a real pro."
Owen Edwards in FSB Magazine
AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
Chapter One:
I walk, down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost -I am helpless
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter Two:
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again
I can't believe I am in the same place but, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three:
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in - it's a habit, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter Four:
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter Five:
I walk down another street.
Portia Nelson
Where there is life, there is hope.
Where there are hopes, there are dreams.
Where there are vivid dreams repeated, they become goals.
Goals become the action plans and game plans
that winners dwell on in intricate detail,
knowing that achievement is almost automatic
when the goal becomes an inner commitment.
The response to the challenges of life - purpose -
is the healing balm that enables each of us
to face up to adversity and strife.
Dennis Waitley
Think you can, think you can't. Either way, you're probably right.
If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can forgive a friend"s lack of consideration,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of your own, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend"s limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
Then, my friend, you"re almost as good as your dog.
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