QUOTES 'N NOTES

Look for updates in this section on a regular basis.

"Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valleys you must traverse.
Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop.
So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good.
Find it and prosper."

~ Og Mandino
(1923-1996, American Motivational Author, Speaker)

>>>>>>>>>>>
NOTES:

This quote reminds me of a famous story about Thomas Edison. It's a perfect illustration of the principle of finding good in adversity.

Thomas Edison spent many long hours for years working in his Menlo Park lab on his inventions. His accomplishments are truly extraordinary and he was, by anyone's definition -- a very real success! However, at one point in his life, about halfway to inventing the incandescent light bulb, a reporter-- who undoubtedly thought like many other people of the time that this task was foolish and couldn't be done--asked Mr Edison if he still thought it was possible to invent this lightbulb, even after he had failed 5,000 times! Thomas Edison took no time at all in answering. He said, in effect, that on the contrary, he has not failed at all. He is that much closer in fact, because now he has discovered 5,000 things that don't work.

This attitude is one of success. The fact is that the people who have achieved the most success in life are the very same people who have failed the most. Adversity did not hinder their efforts to succeed. It actually helped fuel their determination to reach their final goal.

If you don't try, you automatically fail. The people who have failed the most are more likely to succeed, simply because if you keep on trying--- if you continue to persevere-- your chances of success are much stronger.

Look for the glimmer of good in adversity. What lesson have you learned in your life from adversity? Why not share it! Post it on our Discussion Forum! And keep on reaching for the stars -- you will find your dream in abundance if you just don't ever give up!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

See the next column for a quote from another well-known achiever:

" It's only when we truly know and understand that we have limited time on earth - that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had."

    Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
    Physician and writer

>>>>>>>>>>>>

NOTES:

When did you first realize that you are going to die? I don't mean an intellectual knowledge of the fact, but a deep down realization that you are just a mortal human being, growing older and that you won't live forever?

For a lot of us, it was somewhere at or around our 30th birthday. For me, it was when I was 27 years old. I have no idea why that particular year. Maybe it had something to do with the movie "Logan's Run" that came out that year about a society where you were killed off (went to "carousel") when you turned 29 years old.

In any event it was a real eye opener. All of a sudden I wanted to hurry up and accomplish something important. I didn't want to waste any more time.

As we get older and have less time to fool around, we sometimes play with the notion that there must be a legacy that we can leave. Something of value that we can do for society that will outlive us. Unfortunately, the demands of life take their toll and we rarely actually do anything about this desire. At least not until we have a health scare, or come close to dying in an accident of some type.

I saw an 11 year old girl on the news the other day. She has Leukemia and has been going through treatment. At the time of the interview she was preparing to see the parade of lights that takes place on the bay in San Diego, California every year around Christmas.

This beautiful child had the greatest attitude I have ever witnessed! She was so happy with life. Although she said that she didn't know if she'd ever live to see another Christmas after this year, she was so very thrilled to be here now. She was looking forward to the magnificent parade of lights and to a happy and wonderful holiday. She smiled a genuine happy smile, and her eyes lite up with excitement as she told of the things that made her happy. The everyday things. She was so glad to experience the small everyday things that we all take so much for granted.

The next time you walk out of your home at the dawn of a new day, stop and take a deep breath. Smell the flowers. Smell the morning air. Look at the beauty around you. Feel the joy of love from your family, and friends. Feel the excitement of life! Smile, and ENJOY!!

>>>>>>>>>