- Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years. - Richard Bach, (Illusions)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friendship Quote
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
You And Yourself
It is rewarding to find someone whom you like, but it is essential to like yourself.
It is quickening to recognize someone as a good and decent human being, but it is indispensable to view yourself as acceptable.
It is a delight to discover people who are worthy of respect, admiration, and love, but it is vital to believe yourself deserving of these things.
For you cannot live in someone else. You cannot find yourself in someone else. You cannot be given a life by someone else. Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave nor lose.
To the question of your life, you are the only answer. To the problems of your life, you are the only solution.
Monday, May 5, 2008
When you lose your sense of humor, you lose your footing
When the going gets tough, how does one keep a firm footing and avoid slipping and falling into an abyss of despair? There is no better tool than a sense of humor. To support this claim, here are the words of three great men who acknowledged the power of humor to overcome adversity. First, renowned Psychiatrist, author of "Man's Search for Meaning", and 32 other books, developer of Logotherapy and Existential Psychology, and Holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl (1905 ~ 1997) had this to say, "I would never have made it if I could not have laughed. Laughing lifted me momentarily. out of this horrible situation, just enough to make it livable. survivable."
Second, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln (1809 ~ 1865) interrupted a meeting by reading an amusing story with the hope of dispelling the black clouds hovering over his staff. But no one as much as smiled. Finally, Lincoln said, "Gentlemen, why don't you laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon me day and night, if I did not laugh I should die, and you need this medicine as much as I do." Third, like David who slew Goliath, frail Mahatma Gandhi (1869 ~ 1948) overcame The British Empire. How did he do it? He explained, "If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide."
One of the main causes of suffering and stress is a sense of helplessness, powerlessness, or lack of control. But a sense of humor can put one back in control. For example, instead of giving in to depression, a Multiple Sclerosis patient may use humor and say, "You know, one good thing about MS is you don't have to worry about stirring your coffee anymore." Humor may not cure MS, but it will cure a bleak attitude and continue to make life worth living, for if we can learn to laugh at ourselves, we'll always have something to laugh about. Even if humor cannot extend our life, it can end it on a positive note. For instance, the head of the firing squad asked the condemned man, "Before we shoot you, would you like a last cigarette?" And the prisoner replied, "No thanks, I'm trying to quit smoking!"
Genuine humor points out the weaknesses of humanity, but without contempt. It is a commentator of life, not a critic of it. Its purpose is to uplift, not tear down, and to lighten the burdens of others, not add to them. Good humor does not belittle or promote stereotypes, for it springs from the heart, not the mind. It is a shock absorber that helps us get over the bumps in life. Those with a good sense of humor have a good sense of life.
Although it is not the proper role of humor to make fun of others, self-deprecating humor is positive because it encourages humility. It also fosters courage, for that is exactly what is needed to remove the mask one normally wears and expose one's weaknesses to all. It is because of their courage and honesty that we hold comics in high regard. When we dispense with the false notion of our self-importance, we will eliminate a major cause of suffering. With similar thoughts in mind, Francis Bacon (1561 ~ 1626) wrote, "Imagination was given to man to compensate for what he is not, and a sense of humor to console him for what he is." Life is not so much a path as it is a tightrope. By that I don't mean it is a difficult road to tread, but merely that we must keep our balance. That is, it makes sense to take our work and responsibilities seriously, but not ourselves.
Much research has been done on the on the effects of humor and laughter on our health. The benefits are enormous and include boosting our immune system, reducing stress, relaxing muscles, lowering blood pressure, increasing our tolerance for pain, and hastening the healing process. By now, almost everyone is familiar with the link between our body and mind that has been proven. For example, it has been shown that our attitude is more important than our physical health in determining how long we live. That is, senior citizens with a good sense of humor and a positive attitude, but poor health, survive longer than those that are in good health but have poor attitudes.
Another way of expressing this is to say that what jogging does for the body, humor and laughter do for our emotional, mental, and physical health. Yes, it's true; laughter is the best medicine, so we can become our own best medicine. Those with a good sense of humor are cheerful. Every day to them is a sunny one. If storm clouds should appear, they rely on laughter, for like lightning, it adds moments of brightness to the darkest days.
Use the acronym L.A.U.G.H.T.E.R. to remind you of some of its benefits. 'L' stands for LIVE life to the fullest. When we share humor, we are living in the moment and spreading joy. 'A' stands for an AWARENESS and APPRECIATION for the incongruities of life. The inconsistencies and ironies you face offer unlimited opportunities to laugh at them. For example, what can be more ridiculous than the way I look as I type this article? I am wearing long johns and trousers, an undershirt, tee shirt, two sweaters, a winter jacket, and a winter hat. Not to be funny, but to stay warm. You see, the heater in my house is not working, and neither is the repairman - because today is a holiday. I have to type fast just to keep my hands warm!
'U' stands for USE your brain to drain pain with laughter. USE humor to discover delight, joy, and peace of mind. 'G' stands for GOOD HUMOR at all times. I repeat, at all times, for as George Bernard Shaw (1856 ~ 1950) wrote "Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh." 'H' stands for HEALTH. Laughter detaches us from our problems and releases negative emotions; it is the best medicine.
'T' stands for TRANSFORM. Laughter transforms our thoughts, which in turn transforms our feelings for the better. 'E' stands for EXUBERANCE, which is the zest that laughter brings to our lives. And 'R' stands for the RESILIENCE we acquire by learning to deal with hardship and pain, for humor is the strongest weapon against adversity.
Summarizing, a good sense of humor keeps us lighthearted, and hopeful. Like Thomas Edison (1847 ~ 1931), we'll be able to say, "When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out OK." As long as we maintain our sense of humor, we'll never be poor. How will you know if you have a good sense of humor? Frank Tyger explains, "The ultimate test of whether you posses a sense of humor is your reaction when someone tells you you don't."
Thanks to "© Chuck Gallozzi"
Second, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln (1809 ~ 1865) interrupted a meeting by reading an amusing story with the hope of dispelling the black clouds hovering over his staff. But no one as much as smiled. Finally, Lincoln said, "Gentlemen, why don't you laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon me day and night, if I did not laugh I should die, and you need this medicine as much as I do." Third, like David who slew Goliath, frail Mahatma Gandhi (1869 ~ 1948) overcame The British Empire. How did he do it? He explained, "If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide."
One of the main causes of suffering and stress is a sense of helplessness, powerlessness, or lack of control. But a sense of humor can put one back in control. For example, instead of giving in to depression, a Multiple Sclerosis patient may use humor and say, "You know, one good thing about MS is you don't have to worry about stirring your coffee anymore." Humor may not cure MS, but it will cure a bleak attitude and continue to make life worth living, for if we can learn to laugh at ourselves, we'll always have something to laugh about. Even if humor cannot extend our life, it can end it on a positive note. For instance, the head of the firing squad asked the condemned man, "Before we shoot you, would you like a last cigarette?" And the prisoner replied, "No thanks, I'm trying to quit smoking!"
Genuine humor points out the weaknesses of humanity, but without contempt. It is a commentator of life, not a critic of it. Its purpose is to uplift, not tear down, and to lighten the burdens of others, not add to them. Good humor does not belittle or promote stereotypes, for it springs from the heart, not the mind. It is a shock absorber that helps us get over the bumps in life. Those with a good sense of humor have a good sense of life.
Although it is not the proper role of humor to make fun of others, self-deprecating humor is positive because it encourages humility. It also fosters courage, for that is exactly what is needed to remove the mask one normally wears and expose one's weaknesses to all. It is because of their courage and honesty that we hold comics in high regard. When we dispense with the false notion of our self-importance, we will eliminate a major cause of suffering. With similar thoughts in mind, Francis Bacon (1561 ~ 1626) wrote, "Imagination was given to man to compensate for what he is not, and a sense of humor to console him for what he is." Life is not so much a path as it is a tightrope. By that I don't mean it is a difficult road to tread, but merely that we must keep our balance. That is, it makes sense to take our work and responsibilities seriously, but not ourselves.
Much research has been done on the on the effects of humor and laughter on our health. The benefits are enormous and include boosting our immune system, reducing stress, relaxing muscles, lowering blood pressure, increasing our tolerance for pain, and hastening the healing process. By now, almost everyone is familiar with the link between our body and mind that has been proven. For example, it has been shown that our attitude is more important than our physical health in determining how long we live. That is, senior citizens with a good sense of humor and a positive attitude, but poor health, survive longer than those that are in good health but have poor attitudes.
Another way of expressing this is to say that what jogging does for the body, humor and laughter do for our emotional, mental, and physical health. Yes, it's true; laughter is the best medicine, so we can become our own best medicine. Those with a good sense of humor are cheerful. Every day to them is a sunny one. If storm clouds should appear, they rely on laughter, for like lightning, it adds moments of brightness to the darkest days.
Use the acronym L.A.U.G.H.T.E.R. to remind you of some of its benefits. 'L' stands for LIVE life to the fullest. When we share humor, we are living in the moment and spreading joy. 'A' stands for an AWARENESS and APPRECIATION for the incongruities of life. The inconsistencies and ironies you face offer unlimited opportunities to laugh at them. For example, what can be more ridiculous than the way I look as I type this article? I am wearing long johns and trousers, an undershirt, tee shirt, two sweaters, a winter jacket, and a winter hat. Not to be funny, but to stay warm. You see, the heater in my house is not working, and neither is the repairman - because today is a holiday. I have to type fast just to keep my hands warm!
'U' stands for USE your brain to drain pain with laughter. USE humor to discover delight, joy, and peace of mind. 'G' stands for GOOD HUMOR at all times. I repeat, at all times, for as George Bernard Shaw (1856 ~ 1950) wrote "Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh." 'H' stands for HEALTH. Laughter detaches us from our problems and releases negative emotions; it is the best medicine.
'T' stands for TRANSFORM. Laughter transforms our thoughts, which in turn transforms our feelings for the better. 'E' stands for EXUBERANCE, which is the zest that laughter brings to our lives. And 'R' stands for the RESILIENCE we acquire by learning to deal with hardship and pain, for humor is the strongest weapon against adversity.
Summarizing, a good sense of humor keeps us lighthearted, and hopeful. Like Thomas Edison (1847 ~ 1931), we'll be able to say, "When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out OK." As long as we maintain our sense of humor, we'll never be poor. How will you know if you have a good sense of humor? Frank Tyger explains, "The ultimate test of whether you posses a sense of humor is your reaction when someone tells you you don't."
Thanks to "© Chuck Gallozzi"
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Diffuse your anger with forgiveness
Forgiveness diffuses anger. Forgiveness strengthens character. So, even though there are times when forgiveness feels like the last thing you want to do, do it anyway. Even if the pain is hard to forget, remember, forgiveness is your only option for wholeness.
Forgiveness holds tremendous healing power and liberates the soul. When you forgive, you let go of anger, resentment and blame.
Invite relief into your life today. Forgive your way to happiness and peace
My anger is diffused with forgiveness.
Desire is your inner fire
When you want something badly enough, nothing can hold you back! Obstacles may trip you up, challenges may tax your abilities, but desire still fuels your progress. Circumstances will present themselves as roadblocks, but if you want it badly enough, you will triumph.
The power of desire is the tenacious driving force that forms the corner stone of commitment. It becomes the fuel for your perseverance and persistence.
Tune into the strength of you desires, today. Success is as near as the power of your desire to achieve it.
I use the power of my desire to achieve my goals.
True success
You don’t need greater abilities, or greater opportunities. You already possess what you need for success to develop deep with in you. So, don’t look elsewhere. Instead, expect the seeds of success to grow from your heart.
Starting today, vow to focus, explore and take action on what you have and what you can do. When you do, success will surely follow.
Focus on the joy
When you do something just for the “joy” of it you are not worried about what you get in return, nor do you do it because you “should” or “have-to.” You do it because you want to.
As you infuse your life with this kind of joy, you internalize the message that you cherish, love and respect yourself. Your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-confidence and self-worth all get a boost because you’re doing things that are important to YOU.
Do something today; just for the “Joy” of it, when you experience joy, others around you feel it too!
Search for agreement
Agreement increases momentum, just as disagreement may slow you down. So, before you sit down to talk with a loved one, colleague or even you child, plan in advance what you and the other person will likely agree on, and be sure to bring those things up first.
Build your foundation of agreement and go from there. It is what skilled negotiators do all the time and so should you. The result will be strong relationships and, most importantly, receiving the results that you need.
The foundation of my conversations is built on agreement.
It’s not where you start; it’s how you finish.
When looking at the big picture, we all know that how we finish is more important than where we start. Many successful people started out in life with the odds against them, and came through winners. They didn’t let their starting situation determine their final outcome think about it... this same philosophy can apply to everything we do.
When working towards goals, forget that you may have started out at a disadvantage, met hurdles or made mistakes along the way. Move past the past! Don’t get discouraged. Don’t blame your past!
Stop looking back and start looking forward. Then, you will move ahead in leaps and bounds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
