Inspiration

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45 Lessons Life Taught Me

June 2, 2009 in Inspiration, Life Lessons, Self-Development | No comments

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio.

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me…  It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.”

“My odometer rolled over to 90 last August, so here is the column once more:”

  1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step..
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
  5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
  6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
  8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
  10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
  11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
  12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
  13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
  16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
  17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
  19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood… But the second one is up to you and no one else.
  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
  21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
  23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
  24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
  25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
  27. Always choose life.
  28. Forgive everyone everything.
  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  33. Believe in miracles.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
  35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
  36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
  37. Your children get only one childhood.
  38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
  40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s,we’d grab ours back.
  41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
  42. The best is yet to come.
  43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  44. Yield.
  45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

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Why Dogs Have So Many Friends

April 29, 2009 in Life Lessons, Social Networking, Twitter | No comments

Pyra 04/94 - 04/09

Pyra 04/94 - 04/09

Maybe I should rename this blog “My Dog Blog”, because here’s another post about dogs. But simply put, dogs aren’t just great companions who give us their unconditional love, regardless, they are also very smart and great teachers. We could learn a ton from them…if we’d only be willing.

This story landed in my inbox from a very successful business man, Paul Hartunian, and I would like to share it with all of you here:

Many years ago my Godson gave me a little book called “Are You As Happy As Your Dog?”. I’ve read that little rascal dozens of times. If you don’t have it, get it. It has some of life’s great lessons and can be read in less than an hour.

But until you can get a copy, here are some of the reasons dogs have so many friends.  Another bunch of great life lessons.

Enjoy them. I’m going to lay on the floor and get covered by my seven dogs…

Read the rest of this entry »

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Life’s Lemonade – When is the time to make it?

April 17, 2009 in Inspiration, Motivation, Self-Development | 1 comment

Getting it done

Achievers concern themselves with excellence, but do not obsess over perfection. Things get done by doing them in the real world, not by putting them off until conditions are perfect.

In the time you spend worrying about whether or not to do something, it could have been done. In the time you spend worrying aobut whether it’s the perfect time to get going, you could already be far ahead.

Achievers and excellence are built not by fearing the mistakes but by confidently handling the mistakes and the surprises that come along. The will to succeed includes the willingness to live with the very real possibility that things can go wrong.

Go beyond merely dreaming and planning and speculating aobut the ideal way to reach your goal. Make use of whatever you have available to get it done.

Ralph Marston

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A Dog’s Purpose

April 2, 2009 in Inspiration, Life Lessons | 1 comment

I had posted this  on ‘The Enlightened Networker’, one of my other blogs, a little while back. However, since our beloved Pyra, our 15 year old Brittany Spaniel, died yesterday I wanted to re-post it today in her memory.

A Dog’s Purpose (6 year old’s perspective)

Little 6 year old Shane was brilliant beyond his years. Dogs are too. We can learn a lot from both.

Here is the story:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’ The Six-year-old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

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The 10 Most Important Words

March 30, 2009 in Inspiration, Motivation, Self-Development | No comments

According to Gallagher and Ventura, the most important words of personal responsibility are as follows:

The 10 most important words:
I won’t wait for others to take the first step.
The 9 most important words:
If it is to be, it’s up to me.
The 8 most important words:
If not me, who? If not now, when?
The 7 most important words:
Let me take a shot at it.
The 6 most important words:
I will not pass the buck.
The 5 most important words:
You can count on me.
The 4 most important words:
It IS my job!
The 3 most important words:
Just do it!
The 2 most important words:
I will.
The most important word:
Me

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When In Doubt…

March 28, 2009 in Inspiration, Motivation, Self-Development | No comments

“When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So, what the hell, leap.” – Cynthia Heimel

Excellent advice! How many times have there been when we hesitated to do something because we were afraid people would laugh at us? How many great chances to be brilliant have we missed because of it?

I know there have been times in my life where this hesitation backfired. Which brings another great quote to mind…

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” - Les Brown

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