"It's never crowded along the extra mile."
~Wayne Dyer
***
A little extra effort goes a long way. If you want to attract success into your life, then you will have to give in order to get. The giving is in the form of extra effort. Remember, successful people are those who are working while everybody else is sleeping. Now, I don't mean that in literal sense. But, I do mean that successful people put forth the extra effort while others are not willing to do so.
You may have heard of the 212 philosophy. The 212 philosophy is based on the scientific principle of energy. Energy is the driving force of the universe. The 212 philosophy describes how a natural scientific law can be applied in our lives. The basis of the philosophy derives from the boiling point of water. At 211 degrees, water is just very hot water. But, by raising the temperature by just one degree, water boils and when water boils, steam is produced. When you produce steam, you have taken something that was very hot to something that has enough energy to power machines. Think of that, that one extra degree makes all the difference in the world. That one extra degree produces steam; steam that can power a locomotive.
The 212 philosophy reminds us that by consistently giving that little extra effort we can go from ordinary to extraordinary. The philosophy tell us that a little extra effort consistently applied can make all the difference in the world. There is no easy way, shortcut, or fast track to-the-top. It takes effort! And those that get to-the-top and stay at the top, are those that realize it was the extra effort that got them there, and it is the extra effort that will keep them there.
Think of the possibilities and opportunities that await you if you are willing to give a little bit more effort than you are giving now. If you are struggling with your current situation, if you are not where you want to be, don't look to blame others; blame yourself. Your results are in direct proportion to your effort. If you want to change your current situation, embrace the 212 philosophy.
Remember, the philosophy it is based on the natural laws of energy; laws which are fixed in nature and cannot be altered. I urge you to consistently give that little extra effort. Live the 212 philosophy. If you do, nature will see to it that you are rewarded exponentially.
***
It's your life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Grandmotherly Advice
"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be."
-- Grandma Moses
***
Grandma Moses did not begin painting until late in her life. Having lived on a farm all of her life, she took up painting when the manual labor of the farm life became too difficult for her. She held her first exhibition was she was 78 years old. Her first paintings sold for $2 to $3. In 2006, Grandma Moses’ Sugaring Off portrait sold for $1.2 million. Grandma Moses died at the age of 101 in 1961
Grandma Moses is right; "Life is what we make of it." It does not matter if you are young or old, for age can only be defined by a number; whereas, life is defined solely by what you put into it. Take heed of the example set by Grandma Moses: it is never too late to fulfill your potential. Remember the potential is there, it always has been, it is just up to you to grasp it!
Happy Birthday! Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma Moses)
7 September 1860 - 13 December 1961
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
-- Grandma Moses
***
Grandma Moses did not begin painting until late in her life. Having lived on a farm all of her life, she took up painting when the manual labor of the farm life became too difficult for her. She held her first exhibition was she was 78 years old. Her first paintings sold for $2 to $3. In 2006, Grandma Moses’ Sugaring Off portrait sold for $1.2 million. Grandma Moses died at the age of 101 in 1961
Grandma Moses is right; "Life is what we make of it." It does not matter if you are young or old, for age can only be defined by a number; whereas, life is defined solely by what you put into it. Take heed of the example set by Grandma Moses: it is never too late to fulfill your potential. Remember the potential is there, it always has been, it is just up to you to grasp it!
Happy Birthday! Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma Moses)
7 September 1860 - 13 December 1961
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Champion Within
“In the dust of defeat as well as in the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” —Eric Liddell
Lidell is paraphrasing the old adage, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose its how you play the game.” Simply put, it all comes down to effort. If you have given your best, what more can one ask of you? Sure defeat hurts. However, when you know you have given your best, the pain of defeat seems to begin to fade quickly. Conversely, knowing that you did not give your best only fosters the pain of regret. And, the pain of regret can endure a lifetime. You’ll always wonder what might have happened if you would have given your best effort.”
I frequently talk to my children about being a champion. I want them to develop the attitude of a champion. I encourage them to strive to be a champion every day and in everything they do. When I speak of becoming a champion, I’m not talking about being the best at everything they do; I’m talking about giving their best in everything they do. Striving to be the best at everything you do is unrealistic. Why? We have no control or choice over the God given talents and abilities that were instilled in us; that was God’s choice. We will surely run into all kinds of people who will have more talent and abilities than us in a given area. What is not unrealistic is striving to give your best in everything you do.
One definition of a champion is “a person who has the attributes of a winner.” Besides talent, I know of no other attribute that defines a winner better than a willingness to give their best. James Allen once said, "In all human affairs. There are efforts and there are results, and the strength of the effort is in the measure of the result." James Allen is referring to the Law of Reaping and sowing; you get what you deserve. When you give your best effort, you may not be declared the best, but you can certainly say you gave your best. When you accept a challenge and give your best, there are no losers, only winners, and that makes you a champion.
I ask you: Are you giving your best at what you do, or are you just going through the motions?
Remember, when you give your best, you become a champion; a champion to the most important person in the world, and that person is you!
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate
MJD
Lidell is paraphrasing the old adage, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose its how you play the game.” Simply put, it all comes down to effort. If you have given your best, what more can one ask of you? Sure defeat hurts. However, when you know you have given your best, the pain of defeat seems to begin to fade quickly. Conversely, knowing that you did not give your best only fosters the pain of regret. And, the pain of regret can endure a lifetime. You’ll always wonder what might have happened if you would have given your best effort.”
I frequently talk to my children about being a champion. I want them to develop the attitude of a champion. I encourage them to strive to be a champion every day and in everything they do. When I speak of becoming a champion, I’m not talking about being the best at everything they do; I’m talking about giving their best in everything they do. Striving to be the best at everything you do is unrealistic. Why? We have no control or choice over the God given talents and abilities that were instilled in us; that was God’s choice. We will surely run into all kinds of people who will have more talent and abilities than us in a given area. What is not unrealistic is striving to give your best in everything you do.
One definition of a champion is “a person who has the attributes of a winner.” Besides talent, I know of no other attribute that defines a winner better than a willingness to give their best. James Allen once said, "In all human affairs. There are efforts and there are results, and the strength of the effort is in the measure of the result." James Allen is referring to the Law of Reaping and sowing; you get what you deserve. When you give your best effort, you may not be declared the best, but you can certainly say you gave your best. When you accept a challenge and give your best, there are no losers, only winners, and that makes you a champion.
I ask you: Are you giving your best at what you do, or are you just going through the motions?
Remember, when you give your best, you become a champion; a champion to the most important person in the world, and that person is you!
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate
MJD
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Power of Kindness
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
-- Leo F. Buscaglia
***
What act of kindness will you engage in today? Will it be a healing touch, a friendly smile, an uplifting kind word, a non judgmental listening ear, a reassuring compliment or some other act of caring. Kindness always creates a win-win situation. Being kind always has the potential to turn two lives; yours and the recipient of your kindness.
Today, engage in some random act of kindness. I guarantee you'll instantly feel better that you did!
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
-- Leo F. Buscaglia
***
What act of kindness will you engage in today? Will it be a healing touch, a friendly smile, an uplifting kind word, a non judgmental listening ear, a reassuring compliment or some other act of caring. Kindness always creates a win-win situation. Being kind always has the potential to turn two lives; yours and the recipient of your kindness.
Today, engage in some random act of kindness. I guarantee you'll instantly feel better that you did!
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Oh! The Simple Things
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."
-- Confucius
***
Oh, the simple things in life! Why is it that we have a tendency to make things so much more complicated than need be? We make things more complicated when we are no longer true to ourselves. Things become complicated when we try to keep up with the Jones’, or when we live according to someone else’s standards/definitions. Life becomes complicated when make decisions that are inconsistent with our very being. Shakespeare said it best, "to thine self be true."
Recently, I had what I thought was difficult decision to make. The more I thought about it, the more complicated the decision making process became. I wrestled with the decision for quite some time. Just when I thought I was at a mental/emotional impasse, behold! I had an epiphany. I wrote down my top five values in order of importance. Right there, right then, the right decision was starring me in the face.
When everything was said and done, I made the right decision; right because I was being true to thine self. The decision was consistent with what was most important to me. When you make decisions and live your life according to your values, life becomes simple. It becomes simple because the Jones’ no longer have influence in your life. They have moved and taken up residency somewhere else. Life becomes simple when you don’t allow someone else, the media, or mainstream society to tell you how to act or who to be. Being true to what is really important in your life is liberating; being liberated, life becomes simple.
I find it interesting that life’s most important things can actually be life’s simple things. If you want out of the confusion, chaos and complexity of everyday life, simplicity is right around the corner. It is simple – be true to thine own self and simplicity will follow.
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
-- Confucius
***
Oh, the simple things in life! Why is it that we have a tendency to make things so much more complicated than need be? We make things more complicated when we are no longer true to ourselves. Things become complicated when we try to keep up with the Jones’, or when we live according to someone else’s standards/definitions. Life becomes complicated when make decisions that are inconsistent with our very being. Shakespeare said it best, "to thine self be true."
Recently, I had what I thought was difficult decision to make. The more I thought about it, the more complicated the decision making process became. I wrestled with the decision for quite some time. Just when I thought I was at a mental/emotional impasse, behold! I had an epiphany. I wrote down my top five values in order of importance. Right there, right then, the right decision was starring me in the face.
When everything was said and done, I made the right decision; right because I was being true to thine self. The decision was consistent with what was most important to me. When you make decisions and live your life according to your values, life becomes simple. It becomes simple because the Jones’ no longer have influence in your life. They have moved and taken up residency somewhere else. Life becomes simple when you don’t allow someone else, the media, or mainstream society to tell you how to act or who to be. Being true to what is really important in your life is liberating; being liberated, life becomes simple.
I find it interesting that life’s most important things can actually be life’s simple things. If you want out of the confusion, chaos and complexity of everyday life, simplicity is right around the corner. It is simple – be true to thine own self and simplicity will follow.
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Can Money Buy You Happiness?
No man can become rich without himself enriching others."
-- Andrew Carnegie
***
Money gets a bad rap. You have heard it said before, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money is not the root of evil things. It is the love of and obsession of money that can bring forth and perpetuate evil thoughts and actions. So there you have it; money, in of, and by itself is neither good, nor evil. Money is just an entity that stores value. It is the value that we place on money that is the determining factor. It is true that the obsession of money and acquiring wealth has ruined lives, families, businesses and organizations. It is also true that the giving of money to those in need has saved lives, families, businesses and organizations.
The world is full of well-known philanthropists who amassed fortunes only to give it away for the betterment of mankind. The names of Rockefeller, Buffet, Ford and Carnegie come to mind. It was Andrew Carnegie who stated, “The rich have a moral obligation to be benevolent.” Carnegie’s story is a “rags to riches” tale. Carnegie was born 1835 in Scotland, and grew up in poverty. Carnegie once wrote, “ I began to learn what poverty meant. It was burnt into my heart then that my father had to beg for work. And then and there came the resolve that I would cure that when I got to be a man." At the age of 12, the Carnegie family moved to the United States. Carnegie vowed that if he ever became rich, he would give his fortune away. Andrew Carnegie did become wealthy. In fact, he become one the richest entrepreneurs of his age. Carnegie amassed a fortune as a pioneer in the American steel industry. By 1911, Carnegie had formed numerous foundations, resulting in the giving away of 90 percent of his fortune.
Everyday, not so well known people give to those in needs; it could be some spare change to a homeless person, a gift of money to a support a family who lost their home to a fire, purchasing a benefit dinner ticket for a person with a serious illness, or making a donation to a worthwhile charity or foundation.
So now, I pose the question: Can money buy happiness? I say, yes! Money can make you happy; not by acquiring wealth, power, and material possessions, but by the giving of money to others. In order to experience happiness, the giving must be without the expectation of something in return. Have you ever noticed how you experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction when you give money or one of your possessions to someone truly in need?
In a recent experiment, researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School demonstrated a correlation between happiness and giving. Participants were given a $10 bill and were asked how much they would share with someone else. Those that gave away the most money reported higher levels of happiness.
There you have it; money can buy happiness. Money can bring happiness if it is given for the benefit of another. If you don’t believe me, take it from leading authority on giving: Jesus Christ. The Good Lord said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
***
It's your life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD
-- Andrew Carnegie
***
Money gets a bad rap. You have heard it said before, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money is not the root of evil things. It is the love of and obsession of money that can bring forth and perpetuate evil thoughts and actions. So there you have it; money, in of, and by itself is neither good, nor evil. Money is just an entity that stores value. It is the value that we place on money that is the determining factor. It is true that the obsession of money and acquiring wealth has ruined lives, families, businesses and organizations. It is also true that the giving of money to those in need has saved lives, families, businesses and organizations.
The world is full of well-known philanthropists who amassed fortunes only to give it away for the betterment of mankind. The names of Rockefeller, Buffet, Ford and Carnegie come to mind. It was Andrew Carnegie who stated, “The rich have a moral obligation to be benevolent.” Carnegie’s story is a “rags to riches” tale. Carnegie was born 1835 in Scotland, and grew up in poverty. Carnegie once wrote, “ I began to learn what poverty meant. It was burnt into my heart then that my father had to beg for work. And then and there came the resolve that I would cure that when I got to be a man." At the age of 12, the Carnegie family moved to the United States. Carnegie vowed that if he ever became rich, he would give his fortune away. Andrew Carnegie did become wealthy. In fact, he become one the richest entrepreneurs of his age. Carnegie amassed a fortune as a pioneer in the American steel industry. By 1911, Carnegie had formed numerous foundations, resulting in the giving away of 90 percent of his fortune.
Everyday, not so well known people give to those in needs; it could be some spare change to a homeless person, a gift of money to a support a family who lost their home to a fire, purchasing a benefit dinner ticket for a person with a serious illness, or making a donation to a worthwhile charity or foundation.
So now, I pose the question: Can money buy happiness? I say, yes! Money can make you happy; not by acquiring wealth, power, and material possessions, but by the giving of money to others. In order to experience happiness, the giving must be without the expectation of something in return. Have you ever noticed how you experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction when you give money or one of your possessions to someone truly in need?
In a recent experiment, researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School demonstrated a correlation between happiness and giving. Participants were given a $10 bill and were asked how much they would share with someone else. Those that gave away the most money reported higher levels of happiness.
There you have it; money can buy happiness. Money can bring happiness if it is given for the benefit of another. If you don’t believe me, take it from leading authority on giving: Jesus Christ. The Good Lord said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
***
It's your life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Stand By Me
"If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
-- Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stroller
***
The song Stand by Me was first performed by Ben E. King in 1961. Over the years it has been re-recorded by several artists and has become well known among both young and old. The song is a testament to the power of love. We will all experience adversity in our lives, but as long as you have someone standing by you, the power of love is sure to prevail. There are many people in our lives that need us to stand by them. Are you willing to be that person to stand by them? Or, have you become so preoccupied with your own life, that you don't have time or fail to recognize their need?
Ask yourself, who can I stand by today?
***
For the latest version of Stand By Me, visit www.playingforachange.org. The Playing For A Change organization is focused on promoting peace throughout the world through music. The video was made with various artists from all over the world.
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
-- Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stroller
***
The song Stand by Me was first performed by Ben E. King in 1961. Over the years it has been re-recorded by several artists and has become well known among both young and old. The song is a testament to the power of love. We will all experience adversity in our lives, but as long as you have someone standing by you, the power of love is sure to prevail. There are many people in our lives that need us to stand by them. Are you willing to be that person to stand by them? Or, have you become so preoccupied with your own life, that you don't have time or fail to recognize their need?
Ask yourself, who can I stand by today?
***
For the latest version of Stand By Me, visit www.playingforachange.org. The Playing For A Change organization is focused on promoting peace throughout the world through music. The video was made with various artists from all over the world.
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
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