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Confucius says To Change the World First Get Your Heart Right
2007-11-12 16:15:00
"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." -Confucius, Ancient Chinese Philosopher, Confucius books// Confucius says that putting our world in "order" begins with putting ourselves in "order" first. By understanding how to live our own lives in a positive and productive manner, it creates the opportunity for good things to happen around us. If everyone is working to better understand and improve themselves, then those behaviors become contagious to family members and friends. Before you... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: World , Change , Heart , The World , Change The World

Be A Good Team Member
2007-11-11 17:14:00
"If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you're doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It's tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his jacket on." -Lou Holtz, Author, Motivational Speaker and Former NCAA and NFL Football Coach, Lou Holtz books// Team work requires commitment. How many times have you worked on a project with no teamwork? Sometimes it happens due to lack of leadership. Other times it's simply because selfishness, fear or egos get in the way. Most teams tend to start out strong, but as soon as a problem comes up, people start to bail, as Holtz... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Good

Live a Little More Today
2007-11-10 16:07:00
"Every moment of one's existence one is growing into more or retreating into less. One is always living a little more or dying a little bit." -Norman Mailer, American Writer and Film Director, Norman Mailer books// We live in a state of perpetual motion. Every moment, as Mailer says, our life experiences push us forward or pull us back. We learn and grow, or we resist and regress. Mailer spent his life writing about those things that pushed and pulled artists, politicians, soldiers and himself. He shared his views with vulnerability, and he spoke his mind with courage. All of us can identify with, and recognize, the highs and lows of life but, according to Mailer, that is only the... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Today , Live

The Hard Work of Genius
2007-11-09 16:28:00
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort that I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought." -Alexander Hamilton, American Founding Father and first Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton books// A strong work ethic combined with the ability to focus, and exhibit leadership courage, can make people of average intelligence appear to be geniuses. Hamilton was probably being a bit modest, considering the level of accomplishments he achieved in his life. It takes more than a modicum of intelligence to... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Work , Hard , Genius

Money is NOT the Root of all Evil
2007-11-08 16:16:00
"Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed." -Mahatma Gandhi, Political Activist and Spiritual Leader from India, Mahatma Gandhi books// Money is not a bad thing. In fact, I would wager that the majority of people would not complain if they had more of it. Frustration for most arises because it seems like people with money do not spend it wisely. Whether its a thousand dollar handbag or a million dollar "Sweet Sixteen" party, the wealthy find new and excessive ways to blow cash every day. While they see frivolous expenses as only a small fraction of their net worth, the rest of us see a year's college tuition spent on... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Evil , Root

Don't Ask Stupid Questions
2007-11-07 20:26:00
"Judge others by their questions rather than by their answers." -Voltaire, French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher, Voltaire books// It happens all too often. A thought pops into my head and - "blagh" - a question falls out of my mouth. There have been many times that I wished I could have caught those words and shoved them in my ear, so that I would've been the only one to have heard. It's hard to 'play off' a stupid question, and as Voltaire suggests, it doesn't bode well for how others perceive you (or your intelligence). It's only natural for people to consider the motives, intent and reasoning behind inquiry. When the answer is obvious, though, the instantaneous judgment is that... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Questions , Stupid

Earning the Trust of Others
2007-11-07 16:06:00
"Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him." -Booker T. Washington, American Educator, Author and African American Community Leader, Booker T. Washington books// Trust is an essential part of any relationship, and it is particularly pertinent to the delegation of responsibility. It is often not the most qualified person who is put in charge of a project, but rather the person who is most trusted by the leader of the organization, group or body. Trust is not something readily extended by most - it is usually earned over time. But how do you earn trust if you never get a chance to take on significant responsibility? Great... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
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Listening Means Letting Go
2007-11-06 21:42:00
"Listening , not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery." -Dr. Joyce Brothers, American Psychologist and Advice Columnist, Dr. Joyce Brothers books, CDs, DVDs// Listening to others makes them feel valued and important. How often do you feel like people aren't listening to you? Yes, you engage in conversation, or discussion, in which others let you speak, but the objective is always to have their say, or turn, be the last. People hear bits of what you say, and then their focus shifts to thinking about an appropriate or witty response. Hearing someone is not the same as listening to what that person is trying to communicate. It doesn't mean that a good listener refrains from... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Letting

Save Yourself from Government Regulation
2007-11-06 17:46:00
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." -Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States and Famous Hollywood Actor, Ronald Reagan books, CDs, DVDs// Government does serve an important purpose, especially when it comes to preserving and protecting the rights of people who live within democratic societies. The freedoms and liberties individuals enjoy are born out of strong Constitutions, fair legislation and independent judiciaries; however, the temptation to narrowly interpret individual rights, broadly assume legislative power and politicize judicial appointments often causes governments... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Regulation , Save

Improve Your World This Minute
2007-11-05 21:49:00
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank, Holocaust Victim and Diarist, Anne Frank books// You can make the world a better place right now. Don't wait. Say something nice to the next person you see. Pick up the phone and let someone know that you're thinking about him. Write a sympathy note to a friend who recently suffered a loss in her family. The easiest way to improve the world is by making a positive difference in others' lives, but your efforts don't have to involve acts of kindness. You can create a work of art; write a poem; learn something new; begin to recycle; walk instead of drive; start a business; or,... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: World , Improve , Minute , Improv , Prove

Take the Blinders Off
2007-11-05 15:40:00
"The eyes see only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." -Henri Bergson, French Philosopher, Henri Bergson books// How many times has someone said to you, "Take the blinders off! Open your eyes, man!"? I know that there are times when I get really focused on one thing, and as a result, I miss a lot of other things happening around me. I like to take things to completion though, and it's hard to do that if you're always thinking globally and viewing life from an objective distance. Bergson, though, is probably talking about the things in life that we choose to ignore. No one wants to admit when things aren't going well, especially when it comes to relationships, work or money. The... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Friendship is Waiting
2007-11-03 17:25:00
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? Thought I was the only one.'" -C.S. Lewis, Irish Author and Scholar, C.S. Lewis books// People have more things in common than we like to think. Perhaps it's because we want to feel special and unique, especially in our misery. Whoa is me! I'm all alone. No, you're not! As Lewis says, you may think that you're the only one, but there are others that cross your path every week that can identify with both good and bad things that you are experiencing or feeling. These people are potential new friends, or at least friendly acquaintances that can brighten your day or give you a little boost. I guess the key is... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Waiting , Wait

The Trick to Feeling Good
2007-11-02 19:55:00
"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda, American Author and Anthropologist, Carlos Castaneda books// If you have a choice about how you want to feel - good or bad - why would you choose to feel bad? Castaneda says that it requires the same amount of effort on our part, no matter the choice. I'm not so sure. It seems like feeling bad, or sorry for oneself, is a lot easier than feeling good or inspired. Negative self-talk is much more common than internal "peppiness," and society and religion often reinforces that we should internalize the woes of the world and the guilt of... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Trick , Good , Feeling , Feeling good

A World of Possibilities
2007-11-01 15:29:00
"The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas." -Linus Pauling, American Quantum Chemist and Biochemist, Linus Pauling books// Ideas fly around in my head all of the time - some good, some not so good - and it's exciting living in a world of possibilities. Too many people live in a world of routine. Things are done a certain way because that is how it has always been done. These individuals have ideas too, but they lack the courage to act on them or, worse, someone important in their life has made original thought taboo. Society, parents and bosses are very good at telling us what we can't do, intentionally or unintentionally quashing the creative spirit or turning... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: World

A Good Knife
2007-10-31 18:24:00
"There never was a good knife made of bad steel." -Benjamin Franklin, 18th Century American Inventor, Patriot and Statesman, Benjamin Franklin books// I've carried the same pocket knife with me for nearly ten years. It's a Swiss Army knife, and it is definitely the best knife that I've ever had. It's sharp, functional and compact, and I know that I can rely on it to help me out of many binds. I wish more people were like my pocket knife - sharp, useful and reliable. All of these qualities are what make for good character in a person, which is one way to interpret Franklin's observation or maxim about a good knife. A person without quality character becomes dull, burdensome and unreliable,... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
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Go With the Flow
2007-10-30 22:32:00
"I accept chaos. I am not sure whether it accepts me." -Bob Dylan, Legendary American Folk Singer-Songwriter and Poet, Bob Dylan books, CDs, DVDs// The world is a chaotic place. Those things seen and unseen that disturb the order of things make life difficult and demanding. For those of us who like control, chaos is an enemy that must be destroyed. Or should it? Is chaos really a destructive force, or does it only disrupt things that need to be changed? Dylan seems to suggest that by embracing (or at least accepting) chaos good things can happen in your life. Events happen around us that are outside of our control every day. No matter how hard we try to ward off change or will things to... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Flow

Peace of Mind
2007-10-30 17:38:00
"You'll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart." -George Michael, Grammy Winning English Singer and Songwriter, George Michael books, CDs, DVDs// Peace of mind is hard to find, no matter how much emotional intelligence a person commands. I agree with Michael that one must truly understand how they "feel" about something before they can put to rest any mental anxiety about the issue. If you don't settle with your emotions first, then it is inevitable that you will second guess tough decisions that you made. I've tended to be a very cerebral person throughout my life, and it is not easy for me to "listen to my heart." Common sense, and a strong belief in 'right' and 'wrong'... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Mind , Peace of Mind

Check Your Ego
2007-10-29 16:14:00
"He who lives far from neighbors may safely praise himself." -Erasmus, 16th Century Dutch Humanist and Theologian, Erasmus books// When I hear bragging, it's like someone is thrusting knives into my ears. Overconfidence rubs me the wrong way too. Egomaniacs who boast and proclaim their wondrous qualities and achievements make me want to scream, or at least, burst their bubble. I've tried to control this urge by ignoring them but that rarely makes them stop. I'm all for positive self-talk, but there is a difference between affirmation and arrogance. Making yourself feel good at the expense, or irritation, or others is wrong, and those who employ this tactic are bound to experience a severe... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Check

Turn Experience Into Wisdom
2007-10-27 18:58:00
"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." -Oscar Wilde, 19th Century Irish Playwright, Novelist and Poet, Oscar Wilde books// Wilde seems to take a very pessimistic view of experience. It seems that we learn both what 'to do' and 'not to do' again from our experiences in life; however, most would say that mistakes are more indelibly etched in our minds. Either way, and by whatever name, experience involves living life, as opposed to being a bystander all of the time. It's good to make mistakes, as long as you don't repeat them over and over. It's smart, though, to do things right, and remember to do them again and again in similar situations. Experience is the precursor of... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Wisdom , Turn , Erie

Adding Value to Others
2007-10-25 17:03:00
"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." -Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist, Albert Einstein books// There are many definitions of success in life, and some are held in higher regard than others. Most people seem to strive for success at work as the primary objective in their life, all the while taking for granted the many other things that they achieve in their home or community. It's important to be successful at what you do, maximizing your talents and leveraging your strengths. We need successful people in every facet of society for it to function properly - no one would argue with that concept. There is a difference, though, in being... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Don't Be One of the Herd
2007-10-24 18:40:00
"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others." -Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish Novelist, Poet and Travel Writer, Robert Louis Stevenson books// Fear is more powerful than hope or inspiration in most people's minds. It is a force that drives otherwise rational individuals to act in the most irrational manner. Fear causes people to react, rather than act in a given situation. It voids any benefits of strategic thinking, and I would venture to say that it is one of the root causes for most mistakes made in peoples' lives. Fear works its way past verbal filters, and unlike Stevenson's suggestion, it is blurted out to others as a declaration of drama to come. When... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

You Are Special
2007-10-23 21:59:00
"I was always told I was special. And I was also assured that I had a gift and a purpose." -Ashley Judd, American Actress and Movie Star, Ashley Judd books, DVDs & CDs// You are special in so many ways. When was the last time someone told you that? When was the last time you told someone else that? My mother always told me when I was growing up that I was going to 'change the world,' and I took her words very seriously. Her constant encouragement and high expectations taught me many things, including drive, determination and self-motivation. I came from a family, similar to Judd, that believed in building children up, rather than tearing them down. Throughout the course of my... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Special

The Desire to Give
2007-10-22 16:41:00
"The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give." -Walt Whitman, American Writer and Humanist, Walt Whitman books// Are you a giver or a taker? Do you think more about what you can 'get from' or 'contribute to' situations in your life? Are you the kind of person who 'shares the wealth' or 'hoards the glory'? Most people that I meet have a naturally selfish nature, so I truly appreciate those who have learned how to live a selfless life. Whitman alludes to an important point when it comes to giving - it is not natural, but rather a habit that must be learned. Human nature will always have an element of self-preservation, and we are not likely to lose the desire to protect our own... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
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The Children are Watching
2007-10-21 16:24:00
"Children are easily influenced, and I always want to do things I can be proud to show my kids someday." -Faith Hill, Country Music Star, Faith Hill books, DVDs and music// Some say that you shouldn't do things that you wouldn't do if God or Jesus was standing right next to you (which, I guess, in theory, He always is); however, it seems more realistic to think, as a parent, about only doing things that you wouldn't mind your children seeing you do. Faith Hill has always been the kind of celebrity that I appreciate and respect. She seems to be one of a few that have their priorities right and actually strives to be a good role model for children. It never sits right with me when I meet... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Watching

What Drives You Insane?
2007-10-18 16:47:00
"No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions." -Henry Ward Beecher, 19th Century American Clergyman and Abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher books// Many things drive me insane. Ignorance, racism, intolerance and prejudice to name a few. Significant issues of the day are what seemed to drive Beecher insane, such as slavery and suffrage. The same is true in the 21st Century, only the issues that drive most insane today have to do with poverty, war or disease. This type of insanity is a good thing for society because it drives people, like Beecher, to do things to get involved and affect change. It doesn't have to be on a grand, world scale - there are things in every... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
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Becoming An Expert
2007-10-17 16:32:00
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." -Niels Bohr, Danish Physicist, Niels Bohr books// One of my goals in life is to be considered an "expert" at something. It's odd to think, though, as Bohr points out, that the places I should start looking in my life are the areas in which I have failed the most. Failure breeds opportunity for those who are willing to learn. The problem is that most of us try to push the memories associated with failure out of our brains, which is probably why we repeat the same mistakes over and over again. For instance, I have failed many times at knowing when not to argue with my wife. The warning signals... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Expert , Pert

The Need for Appreciation
2007-10-16 16:37:00
"The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated." -William James, American Psychologist and Philosopher, William James books// One of the most memorable experiences of the past few years in my life was attending my wife's grandmother's funeral. It was a very sad day, but the minister did a good job of helping people think positively about her life. One thing he said, in particular, struck me profoundly. He said, "Significance is the most important thing in peoples' lives, and Doris got that through her family." It made me think about how you make another person feel significant and important to you, and the only answer I could come up with was gratitude. People feel... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Appreciation , Reci

We Are What We Do, Right?
2007-10-16 16:04:00
"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts." -Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosopher, Aristotle books// We are what we do - is that right? Individual actions may not always be a good representation of our character; however, as Aristotle says, "habits" may reflect more accurately where we stand in our personal development. Throughout my life, I have found that repetition is a critical part of learning, but repetition without comprehension does not build sustainable habits. "Moral excellence" is a lofty goal, and I wonder how long it took Aristotle to achieve it (if he did, at all). ... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Try Something New
2007-10-15 16:25:00
"When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it." -Margaret Chase Smith, former U.S. Senator from Maine, Margaret Chase Smith books// I love a good challenge, especially when others don't think that the objective is achievable. I was always the kid who, when the gauntlet was thrown down, stepped up to the plate. As a result of my fearlessness, I broke several bones and got stitches all over my body. Looking back, I guess that I should have let someone else step up in certain situations. I don't regret taking risks though, and this character trait has followed me into adulthood. My wife and I have started several businesses with varying degrees of... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Some

Happy Endings
2007-10-14 05:08:00
"I don't believe in happy endings, but I do believe in happy travels." -George Clooney, American Actor and Movie Star, George Clooney books and DVDs// Life should be fun. You should be able to enjoy every day without a lot of stress or worries, but that's not how most of us live. We're always concerned about achieving goals, pleasing others and, basically, working toward "happy endings." Why is the "end" so important though? Why isn't the journey the thing that really matters? For some, this is a no-brainer. They live each day to the fullest without a care in the world - they are present in every moment and find pleasure in most things that they do. These people are called "rich" or "bums"... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Happy , Endings