Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Unspoken Prayers
 Delivered On: January 16th 2011 Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell Very often what we want most may not be what is best for us in the long run. In fact, sometimes our greatest growth and happiness come when we don’t get what we want. We’ve all experienced this. Because a young man did not achieve his dream of playing high school basketball, he turned to books and words and became a sensitive and prolific writer. Because a woman lost an election for public office, she turned to volunteer service that blessed countless lives. Because a jobseeker did not get the job he thought he wanted most, a new, more promising career unfolded to him. These examples, and many others like them, teach us that we don’t always get what we hope for—and that can be a good thing. Our desires, even our prayers, sometimes reveal a limited vision of what we can become. Often, if we’re patient, there’s a greater blessing in store for us. Even our trials and setbacks can be stepping-stones to greater growth. The key, as this anonymous prayer teaches us, is to learn to be grateful for the blessings we didn’t ask for. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for—but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed. 1 Lloyd D. Newell 1. In Suzy Platt, ed., Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations (1993), 277. |
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Fear of the Unknown
Rozanne Paxman
Fear of the Unknown
Fear of the Unknown is a terrible fellow. He stands in hip boots and
shakes fists in the air.
He pulls frightening faces. He points, and he paces. He laughs when
he scares you. He just doesn't care.
Fear of the Unknown is a terrible, wild man. He'll rip up your sofa
and steal all your bread.
He'll total your car and embezzle your money. He'll fire you, disown
you, and leave you for dead.
Fear of the Unknown is a powerful fellow 'cause that's what he's told
you and that's what you think.
But the truth of the truth (and it's time that you knew it) is that
Fear of the Unknown's a weak, sniveling stink.
He is vanquished forever when questions are answered –
the ill-mannered questions that torment at night--
The questions that stand in the back of your closet that jump out and
get you and give you a fright.
"What if you fail here?" He whispers and teases. "What if they fire
you and send you away?
You'll starve, don't you know? You can't handle disasters. You're
weak. You're a coward. You're foolish and lame."
"What if you're sick?" He mentions while moaning. "What if you're
so sick that you pass away?
You'll leave them behind without any money. They'll suffer and hate
you when you're in your grave."
Fear of the Unknown is a persistent fellow. He sits in the parlor and
rides in your truck.
He follows you closely and sticks to your clothing. He walks in your
shadow and laughs when you're stuck.
Fear of the Unknown is a sham of a fellow. His questions of terror
you do need to hear.
So listen and grab them and hold them and squeeze them. Write
them and read them. Get rid of the fear.
Prepare for the worst things, the worst that he tells you. Decide
what you'd do if your nightmares come true.
Consider each one, from beginning to finish. How would you
manage? What would you do?
And then he will leave you, old Fear of the Unknown. He'll leave
you alone. He will go far away.
Preparing and planning when you hear his questions are certain to
scare him. He'll go without pay.
'Cause Fear of the Unknown loves shadows and darkness.
Fear of the Unknown loves terror at night.
He doesn't like bravery or courage or action. He doesn't like
people who put up a fight.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Inspiring Leadership
John Quincy Adams observed,
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Word of the Year - Trade-in for New Year's Resolutions
A Free Gift to Uplevel Your 2011
The success stories you’ve been reading over the past few weeks are REAL. They are also effortless, challenging, fun, authentic, exciting, expansive and rewarding. (There’s more to come, too!)And the ONLY thing each of these people had in common is this:
The each gave themselves a gift.
They each honored themselves enough to take the time before the new year began – and ask themselves some deep questions about what they truly wanted in the coming year.
In other words, they stopped “hoping” and started “creating.” Most of them used the Word of the Year Discovery Tool to get clear, be real, and stay aware. That’s why I created it. Because you absolutely have the power to make 2011 rock.
Download the Word of the Year Discovery Tool now. Then, sit down with your journal, a legal pad, your moleskin, whatever. Grab a pen. Light a candle. And bless yourself with your own attention and focus. And let me coach you into your wisest, most authentic self so you can hear your own true answers so you can start creating your own true success…
It’s almost 2011. Let’s do this now.
Click here to download your free Word of the Year Discovery Tool.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Non-Goals & Mantra
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My 2011 Non-Goals
The fabulous and talented Erin of Design For Mankind has started a non-goal revolution. What are non-goals, you ask? Non-goals are things that you would like to keep doing and things you are doing well. What a great concept! At a time when we are trying to re-focus it's also important to remember what you're doing right.
~ Continue investing in yourself. Knowledge and experiences are definitely worth it.
~ You've relied on your faith to get you through difficult times. Never forget that.
~ Spending quality time with your Mom and brother has been a great blessing. Appreciate this time.
~ Keep traveling. It inspires you and it brings you joy. Continue to make it a priority.
~ You have cut down on Diet Coke. Drinking it primarily on Chik-fil-a days with Sarah.
~ You started a business this past year even though you were scared. Always pursue your dreams.
What are your non-goals?
By Hengki Koentjoro
"Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart."
~ Paulo Coelho
Each year, I try to make New Year's Resolutions. They typically are something like: go to the gym, travel somewhere new, organize and de-clutter, etc. I've decided this year to have a mantra instead of writing a list. I have been thinking about what direction I would like my life to go and what I want to accomplish. I have been contemplating about the subject for awhile and low and behold I found a succinct answer in none other than a Dove Promises candy. Yep, the chocoholic's fortune cookie. I need to add, I don't normally take advice from candy wrappers but sometimes there are lucky coincidences...
This year's mantra is:
"Be Fearless."
For me, it's perfect. I wouldn't say I'm a fearful person but I have to admit, I don't like failure. Who does? The key thing to note is all great things have come from people who were courageous enough to move past their fears, act, and keep going until they succeed. I am hoping that by making this a theme for this year I can grow as a person and as an artist. I hope that everyone can have the courage to accomplish their dreams and I think that the time is now. Even if our goals are as simple as learning a new hobby, our world will be better for it. Dare to dream. Dare to become more. Dare to become the best version of you.
What are your resolutions?
1 comments: pam@pixelimpress said... great mantra, brittany! mine for the new year is 'progress over perfection'. i can't take credit... i read it on seleta's blog. but it fits my life right now, so i'm borrowing! pam
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
25 Things Good For the Soul
|
| Rozanne Paxman |
25 Things That Are Good for the Soul
- Smiling
- Photographs of fluffy clouds
- Reading and considering wise words
- Taking time to breathe before answering
- Sharing kind laughter
- Happy music
- Art
- Listening to someone who needs a friend
- Sending someone a note of appreciation
- Meditating
- Making a list of the things you're grateful for
- Washing windows so the sun can shine more brightly inside your room
- Dancing
- Listening to a breeze
- Smelling flowers
- A picnic under a tree
- Keeping a record of the good things that happen
- Letting go of the past
- Forgiveness
- Prayer
- Walks
- Hobbies
- Doing a secret act of kindness
- Cleaning
- Saying "I love you."
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