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Sympathy Weight
2007-10-13 05:19:00
"There's something sexy about a gut. Not a 400-pound beer gut, but a little paunch. I love that." -Sandra Bullock, American Actress and Movie Star, Sandra Bullock books and DVDs// Man, I'm glad to hear someone likes the look of a little belly fat. I'm not sure if she's serious, though, because I don't know many people who think fat is fine. I did hear recently that "soft is sexy," but I think that was referring to women as opposed to men. As a young man, I had a hard body with some big guns. Now that I'm older, I've got the beginning of a spare tire with a big booty. I wish I only had a little paunch, but I guess I should be thankful that it hasn't grown into a 400-pound beer gut, as... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Weight , Weigh , Path

A Hug a Day
2007-10-12 06:29:00
"Oh, I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time!" -Drew Barrymore, American Actress and Movie Star, Drew Barrymore books and DVDs// It's nice to get a hug every day. Normally, I like to shake hands with people when I see them, but if someone initiates a hug I always return the gesture. We all have friends or family members, like Barrymore, who meet everyone with outstretched arms, a genuine smile and kinds words of appreciation. I admire people who are so focused on making those around them feel comfortable and loved. They have a way of disarming even the most guarded individuals, who might otherwise not even say 'hello' to you. For those of us who are not... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Do You Know What You're Talking About?
2007-10-12 06:03:00
"You shouldn't speak until you know what you're talking about." -Brad Pitt, American Actor and Movie Star, Brad Pitt books and DVDs// One of the most irritating things in the world to me is when people talk about things as if their opinion were fact, especially when they don't justify statements or demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject matter. The context of Pitt's quotes had to do with being asked about China and Tibet's political problems. I respect that he acknowledged that he wasn't qualified to make an educated opinion on the topic, and then he moved on rather than saying, "but let me tell you how I feel about what I little I do know..." People must feel more important... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Talking

No Boundaries
2007-10-11 17:20:00
"When you live a life with no boundaries, there's less joy." -Tom Hanks, American Movie Star, Tom Hanks books// Boundaries are a good thing. Adults need boundaries as much as kids do. Kids need adults to ensure that they live within the boundaries set for them, whereas adults are supposed to 'police' themselves. It's hard to say NO to yourself, especially when it comes to food, alcohol, tobacco or other temptations. We all have feelings of invincibility, which are always crushed later when we look in the mirror or have trouble getting out of bed the next morning. Hanks correctly points out that we often sacrifice long term happiness for short-term satisfaction. Obesity, alcoholism, lung... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

A Balanced Life
2007-10-11 16:29:00
"A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." -Marilyn Monroe, American Actress and Pop Icon, Marilyn Monroe books// A successful career is definitely something to be thankful for in life; however, is it always worth the cost or sacrifices made? Unless you are independently wealthy, someone in your family has to work, and it's usually not doing something he or she is passionate about every day. Even people with the so-called "glamorous life," like Monroe, struggle to find happiness and fulfillment from a career alone. Relationships, though, tend to balance out a person's life, and it's much more rewarding to be successful at work if you can come home and share... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Life

Be Aware of the Present
2007-10-11 05:33:00
"Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness." -James Thurber, American Humorist and Cartoonist, James Thurber books// It's hard not to let things stew inside of you when someone has done you wrong. The replay button in your brain gets hit dozens of times, and inevitably you come up with a better comeback, a more pithy retort or a punch in the face. It's also hard not to look to the future with fear, especially about things that have happened to you in the past that hurt you or made you angry. Similarly, a picture in your mind plays out again and again, attempting to find a way to alleviate the fear. Both anger and fear are controlling emotions that do not... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Present , Resent , Aware

Dialogue, Discussion or Argument?
2007-10-10 07:09:00
"Argument is the worst sort of conversation." -Jonathan Swift, Irish Cleric and Writer, Jonathan Swift books// A mentor once explained to me that dialogue was the best kind of conversation because it involved collaboration and a sharing of ideas, regardless of agreement. He also said that discussion was a conversation consisting of points and counterpoints, which inherently made it somewhat adversarial. Arguments, he said, were nothing more than a waste of time. I wonder if my mentor read much of Swift's work? I tend to agree with them both. To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Discussion , Dialogue , Dial

The Narrative of Life
2007-10-08 15:47:00
"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." -Lin Yutang, Chinese Writer and Inventor, Lin Yutang books// The narratives of some peoples' lives are told like a cheesy voice over from the movies, however for the rest of us, our story unfolds through the things we do every day. Yutang suggests that what we do is just as important as what we don't do, and I agree with him to an extent. There are multitudes of meaningless tasks that we complete each day out of habit, and if we could replace those tasks with more productive activities, then we would get important things done... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Life

Small Talking
2007-10-06 16:09:00
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something." -Plato, Ancient Greek Philosopher, Plato books// Small talk is not my strong suit. It's very difficult for me to engage in idle chatter about the weather or work, although I can do it to a certain extent about sports. I don't meet many people who are content with sitting back and saying nothing as Plato suggests. In fact, most people seem to think doing so is slightly rude, and failure to engage in "small talking" means that you think you're better than everyone around you. Unlike Plato purports, most people don't associate silence with wisdom. Knowing this to be the case, I have forced... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Talking

I Have the Power
2007-10-05 17:39:00
"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt, former American First Lady and Political Leader, Eleanor Roosevelt books// Confidence is something most of us struggle with at times, especially when other people so often use the tactic of making you feel worse so they can feel better about themselves. Who has the power, though, over how you feel? Roosevelt emphatically says that you do. It's a common weakness to allow others to dump all over you, and it's confusing to me how so many allow themselves to be victimized by elitists and jerks. All of us have value in this world, but the only way it shows is if you believe in yourself. While our skills and... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Power

Say It Ain't So, Really
2007-10-05 06:09:00
"It's not what we don't know that hurts, it's what we know that ain't so." -Will Rogers, American Cowboy, Comedian and Actor, Will Rogers books// There's a lot of things I don't know, and I assume that they don't hurt me. However, when things come up that I know are incredibly one-sided or blatantly untrue, it really gets my goat! The most common occurrence is when individuals interpret facts in a way that supports their own conclusions, regardless of fairness or the truth. Then, there are the "exaggerations" of the truth that turn facts into fairy tales, which is usually intended to create a misleading mythology that replaces the mundane reality. Worst of all, though, are the outright... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Ally

Give Back to the World
2007-10-04 16:16:00
"It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it." -Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist, Albert Einstein books// We get a lot, and some take too much. Few give back more than they get - even fewer the equivalent of what they take. There is a mentality of entitlement the has spread throughout the world, and it's selfish appetite is nearly insatiable. Most people are polite, courteous and civil when it serves their self-interest, but not many are truly selfless. When is the last time you did something for another person without expecting anything in return? What difference are you making in the lives of those around you? In... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: World , Back , The World , Give

We Are All Travelers
2007-10-04 15:56:00
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend." -Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish Novelist, Poet and Travel Writer, Robert Louis Stevenson books// Our journey throughout life is filled with experiences that involve traveling into unknown territory. We are all explorers by nature, who seek out different paths to follow in pursuit of our destiny. Our way is lit by motivation to achieve our goals, and the road is cleared by our determination to succeed. Purpose propels us constantly forward, yet is it only about reaching our final destination? Or, is the journey what really matters? Stevenson seems to say neither - it's the... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Golf - The Anti-Sport
2007-10-03 16:35:00
"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing." -Ben Hogan, American Golf Legend, Ben Hogan books// I'm terrible at golf. Throughout my life, I have always excelled at "contact" sports, so every instinct I have is aimed at crushing that little dimpled ball. It doesn't matter how hard I swing, though, because even if I connect with the ball it still finds its way into the woods or water. The last time I took a lesson, the instructor asked me if there was anything I could think about that I don't hate before teeing up the ball. I tried thinking about family and fun experiences, but when... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Sport , Anti

The Privilege of Friendship
2007-10-03 16:13:00
"I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing." -Katherine Mansfield, New Zealand Modernist Writer, Katherine Mansfield books// True friendship is hard to find. Trust is key, and so is the absence of judgement. Friends should always tell you the truth, especially when you are doing something wrong which hurts others. Friends stick by you, though, through both good and bad times, and their faith in you as a person is unquestionable. As Mansfield says, there is comfort in knowing that you don't have to explain everything you say, feel or do - they like you no matter what. You can joke around, blow off steam and share... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Friendship

I Already Did That
2007-10-03 00:11:00
"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." -Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich books// Don't you get tired of dealing with the same problems over and over again? Just when you think you've got one fire put out another one always pops up. Your boss (or spouse) comes into your office and points out all of the flaws in the work you completed, without even acknowledging the things you fixed to get to this point. Some people call this "Seagull Management," and I'm sure you can figure out why (Hint: it has to do with crapping all over everything and then leaving you to clean up the... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Ready

Do Right By Others
2007-10-02 22:32:00
"The time is always right to do what is right." -Martin Luther King, Jr., American Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King Jr books// I respect and admire those who quietly go about their business and do right by others. The ones that don't ask for recognition or awards, but instead shun the spotlight and allow the people around them to shine. These are the people who coach, teach, support, parent and advise us throughout our lives. They are the heroes only we know and appreciate. The role models or mentors who help us understand the tough choices we face and how to recognize the "right" things to do for ourselves. They are also the ones whose rebuke, which is always in private, is most... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Calling All Moderates
2007-10-02 17:14:00
"By 'radical,' I understand one who goes too far; by 'conservative,' one who does not go far enough; by 'reactionary,' one who will not go at all." -Woodrow Wilson, former President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson books// I believe that most people in America, and throughout the world, have sensible political ideologies that are usually in the middle. Personally, I consider myself to be slightly "left of center" on most issues, and the majority of people that I know are right-or-left-leaning moderates as well. Radicals make me nervous because they always want sweeping and drastic changes, whereas conservatives irritate me as they trudge through every issue looking for reasons not to... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Calling , Moderates , Moderate

Choosing Between Two Evils
2007-10-01 23:00:00
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before." -Mae West, American Actress, Mae West books// Choices are great, unless all of your options are bad. Food, politics and entertainment options come to mind immediately. Most things that taste really good have too much sugar or salt; the majority of politicians running for office are crooks or thieves; and, there aren't many fun things to do that don't involve drinking, smoking or gambling. Tough choices require tough decisions, especially when the consequences are negative no matter which you pick. Still, as West alludes, people usually choose the one they've "never tried before," rather than... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Ween

We Are Ants
2007-10-01 22:41:00
"It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are you busy about?" -Henry David Thoreau, American Author and Philosopher, Henry David Thoreau books// Thoreau wants to know what you're busy about? Are you like the ants, always moving things around and travelling the same path every day again and again? I hear people talk about how "busy" they are all of the time, but it's often unclear to me why they do what they do. It seems like routines dominate peoples' lives - the tasks completed had a unique and innovative purpose at one time, but now, they are simply repeated as a means of comfort. No doubt, there are important tasks that take years to complete, and... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Ants

Pessimist, Optimist or Realist?
2007-10-01 17:27:00
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty." -Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill books// Are you a pessimist or optimist? You know, glass half empty versus glass half full? Pessimists piss me off, probably because they piss on everything. I admit that optimists can be annoying too, especially unrealistic optimists. Come to think of it, what is a realist? A realist is a critical opportunist. Pessimists always think the risks are too great, while optimists always overestimate their own abilities. Realists calculate the risks and compare it to their own abilities to determine if success is... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Weeds in Your Garden
2007-10-01 17:08:00
"No garden is without its weeds." -Thomas Fuller, English Churchman and Historian, Thomas Fuller books// None of us are perfect. Fuller uses the allegory of a garden to illustrate this point, and the 17th Century churchman likely found lots of weeds among the English royalty he advised. We all have weeds in our gardens, and it takes a lot of persistence to root them out. No matter how much we do to prevent them from growing, they always find a way of spreading and coming back. Some get distracted from cultivating the good things, and their entire energy is devoted to killing weeds rather than growing flowers. Both of these things are important to complete if, to continue the allegory, you... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Garden , Weeds , Arden , Garde

Working For Good
2007-09-29 05:34:00
"Work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed." -Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel books// What are your motives? Are they good? If so, are these good intentions employed to a meaningful end? Good is such a relative term, especially when applied to how we prioritize our efforts. Most people need "work" to produce a successful result, otherwise they feel like they're wasting time. Productivity has always been very important to me, and I have an extremely hard time investing personal resources or time on things that don't have a profitable outcome. How can Havel argue with that? I need to support my family. ... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Working , Workin

The Fear of Possibilities
2007-09-29 05:06:00
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." -Franklin Delano Roosevelt, former President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt books// Anything is possible. Anything is possible. Anything is possible. It helps to internalize when I say affirmations three times. The future holds an unlimited number of possibilities for each of us, if we believe it to be true. Roosevelt points out that the only limitations imposed are the ones we put on ourselves. Is that true? I've heard that you have to "believe before you achieve," but I've also heard that you have to "see it to believe it." I think Roosevelt was talking about faith. Not the kind of faith in God,... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Fear , Ossi

Imagine A World
2007-09-28 21:46:00
"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." -Carl Sagan, American Astronomer and Astrochemist, Carl Sagan books// Imagine a world where you were King. Where all the people would bow and sing, when the royal procession came out to bring joy and happiness as its only offering. Imagine a world where you could laugh at every conversation and photograph - of the good times you had while growing up and the friendship that always fills your cup. Now, imagine a world that's dull and grey, where everyone is boring with nothing to say. Days are repeated to the same simple end, and when you wake up it starts all again. Imagine the places you want to... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: World

A Slippery Mind
2007-09-28 04:58:00
"Some minds remain open long enough for the truth not only to enter but to pass on through by way of a ready exit without pausing anywhere along the route." -Elizabeth Kenny, Famous Australian bush nurse, Elizabeth Kenny books// A mind is a slippery thing. It selectively stores and rejects information, depending on the emotion attached to it. Rather than filing all relevant data and potential truths, only the items that support ones current belief system seem to have even the slightest chance of sticking around, and then only if it makes the person feel good. All the while, we continue to get dumber and more dense, fabricating the world around us from our own fragmented mental... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Mind , Slip , Slipper

Truth Among Friends
2007-09-28 03:59:00
"Truth springs from argument amongst friends." -David Hume, Scottish Philosopher, Economist and Historian, David Hume books// Most of your friends probably like to avoid confrontation with you, as "friendship" is usually an escape from controversy and a respite for peace. True friendship, though, has it's moments of intense disagreement, which often results in an abundance of hard truths spilling out that might normally be filtered. The harmony is disrupted, and loyalties are tested. It's unfortunate when these situations cause rifts between friends because it's very hard to find someone who will be completely honest without judging you. Sure, tempers will flair and expletive's will fly,... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Friends , Ruth

Enlightened Statesmen?
2007-09-28 03:37:00
"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." -James Madison, former President of the United States, James Madison books// Statesmanship is defined as having wisdom in the management of public affairs. The term is also used to refer to politicians or other prominent figures who deal in national or international affairs relating to government. While the democracy that exists within the framework of the American republic has surely produced some of the greatest "statesmen" of all time, the success of our system of government does not always ensure that the best and brightest, or as Madison put it [the] "enlightened," are in control. For example, President George W. Bush is not... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.

Useless Motion
2007-09-27 17:19:00
"Never mistake motion for action." -Ernest Hemingway, American Writer, Ernest Hemingway books// How many times have you been in a work group or breakout session when there was a lot of activity or talk yet very little action? One of my biggest pet peeves is when people act like their running a marathon when, in reality, they're running in place. Sometimes this is caused by analysis paralysis, but more often than not it is the result of fear or laziness. Action is the only thing that produces results - good or bad. Motion , as Hemingway points out, is like a smoke-screen designed to fool or placate onlookers, peers or supervisors. These are the people who say, "I don't know how I'm ever... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Useless

Keep Your Mouth Shut
2007-09-25 22:59:00
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." -Mark Twain, American Writer, Mark Twain books// You know that moment in a conversation, or other type of communication, when your head or gut is telling you to shut up but your heart is screaming for you to bust open a can of "whoopass"? Or what about when you say something really foolish and you hear the "beep, beep, beep" of the imaginary verbal reverse button in your head? I'm sure most of us have struggled with applying "the filter" before we say things that are often regrettable. It takes a tremendous amount of self-confidence and restraint to follow Twain's advice, yet... To read the rest of this post, please click the headline and go to the Thoughts On Quotes site.
More About: Mouth , Shut