Posts: 10,529
11/3/08 7:11 A

Look at a man in the midst of doubt and danger and you will learn in his hour of adversity what he really is.

- Lucretius, Roman philosopher

Do you really know what you're made of?

It's easy to stay true to our values when life is sunny. But because sometimes hope disappears, options run out, and bright days can turn dark, all you can really count on to be there is your own inner strength. These low points are chances to learn what you're capable of when you refuse to be knocked down for good. You may not be able to choose your hardships or options. But you do have the power to face what you're given with high character. Trust yourself and your instincts, and your best will come forward. Think about the last time you had the choice to fold under pressure or to rise to the occasion. How might you have handled it a little differently? If there's room for improvement, what actions would have made you more proud of yourself?

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10/30/08 9:48 A

How far you go in your life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
-- George Washington Carver

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9/20/08 8:49 P

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

- Mohandas Ghandi

Redefining wealth

America is the richest nation on the planet. Daily, the importance and value of monetary wealth is reinforced to us--cars, celebrity, pampering, exotic travel, a desirable wardrobe, and money beyond comprehension are constantly before our eyes as the goals you "should" strive for. Money is power, they say, but is it really? Studies show that the wealthy are no happier than anyone else. In fact some would say people in such circumstances are even more prone to addiction, depression, and feelings of low self-worth. The real goals you should desire are a healthy body and a positive lifestyle. Eating well, exercising, and getting adequate rest gives you an edge against cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other ailments that are wrecking our society and cutting lives short everyday. A long, healthy life and taking care of yourself should be your new marker for wealth.

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9/19/08 4:50 P

The things that are hard to bear, are sweet to remember.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The sweetness of reflecting on a dream

Setting goals is easy. The tough part is putting time and hard work into realizing those dreams. The energy you are willing to put forth to reach your dreams is directly related to the probability of achieving them. Above all, be patient with the situation and with yourself. Don't lose your way by being blinded by disappointment, frustrations, and failures. Ponder the goals in your life and the obstacles you might face. Make appropriate plans to overcome those roadblocks even before they occur. Think of the reward of reflecting on a goal you have reached, rather than one you failed to see through. Most big dreams involve big effort!

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9/9/08 1:37 P

The future comes one day at a time.

- Dean Acheson

Finding victory in the small stuff

Do your dreams seem far away? Does the distance between you and the finish line deflate your motivation? Often we forget that goals and dreams are not achieved overnight, but rather in a series of small steps. Progress towards your goals should also be counted as victorious! Stop looking at the end result to bring you the greatest joy. Instead, celebrate the ways in which your life is gravitating towards that desired result. Nothing is guaranteed in life, so make the most of each day and persevere. Remember that the small things in life build up to the bigger ones.

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9/4/08 6:51 A

The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves.

- Anonymous

Winning victory against yourself

No one likes to lose. The thrill of victory after competition is hard to match. But the wins that leave the most significant, long-term impressions are the ones where you win against yourself. Beating a friend in a game of hoops is much less meaningful than setting a personal best time while running. We live in a highly competitive world, and everything around us screams that we've got to be number one in order to feel successful. Truly though, the best measuring sticks are your past and your potential--not against someone else's standards. Raise the bar for yourself!

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9/2/08 8:13 P

If you think twice before speaking once, you will speak twice the better for it.

- William Penn

Think twice, speak once

The idea of choosing your words carefully sounds easy enough, but how many times do you end up with your foot in your mouth? Everyone can probably recall a situation where someone offended them by saying something rude or out of line. These comments are not only embarrassing, but they can also damage relationships. Even the way you talk to yourself can be hurtful. Instead of saying "I can't," replace it with "I wish." Swap "I'm a failure" with "I didn't succeed this time." If you say the wrong thing in front of others, chances are that people will remember it. Wouldn't you prefer to be remembered for something more positive? Once you have said something out loud it cannot be taken back, and rarely can it be undone even with a tremendous amount of work.

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9/1/08 8:58 A

You can complain because roses have thorns. Or you can rejoice that thorns have roses.

- Ziggy

The secrets of positive people

Positive people tend to have many similar characteristics, such as respecting everyone's contribution to a project and knowing during hard times that things will get better. They have the power to make that change happen, an understanding that their attitudes can directly affect outcomes, and a commitment to increasing positive thoughts and diminishing negative ones. Are you putting effort towards becoming a more positive person?
Avoid complaining when things are turning sour, realize that the negatives and the positives in life will level out, and take responsibility for your life and actions. You are the only person responsible for your attitude--and your life.

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8/28/08 7:46 A

Concentration is the ability to think of absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary.

- Ray Knight, professional athlete

Are you able to focus on your goals?

Calm your mind. Quiet all of the distractions surrounding you. Concentrate on the one task at hand. Often a naysayer can cloud our minds and break our focus. What in your life distracts you? In the moment of need, silence your brain and allow yourself to stay focused. Save your worries about tomorrow and guilt over yesterday's failures for another time. Maybe you need to meditate, pray, or simply spend a few moments quietly gathering yourself before tackling the project at hand. Now is the time for just one thing--reaching your goal. Today, focus your energy, clear your head, and achieve!

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8/27/08 5:26 P

Sorry all got sidetracked!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=236

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8/23/08 9:41 A

Saturday


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=729

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8/22/08 9:07 A

Oops missed Thursday but here's Friday's



A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight.

- V. Borge

The power of a positive face

Have you ever contemplated how much a smile can change a person's day? Both the person who smiles and the one who sees it are positively impacted by such a small act. This seemingly tiny reflex can perk up a bad attitude, make you seem more warm and inviting, and often pass some happiness on to others. So the next time your alarm goes off for your 5 a.m. run or your dog barks in the middle of the night, smile instead of grumbling. You'd be surprised how a positive face can in turn become a positive and motivational attitude!

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8/20/08 9:46 A

Wednesday

Just DON'T watch the video that comes with it unless you want to be grossed out!

www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=behavior_
modification_101_how_to_beat_your_rati
onalizations_at_their_own_game

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8/19/08 6:36 A

Tuesday


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/quotes_transl
ation.asp?id=40

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8/17/08 10:12 P

A day early but I've felt this way too at times.

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=838

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8/17/08 6:44 A

Sunday

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=430

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8/16/08 9:30 A

For today


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=171

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8/15/08 10:00 A

Just something to try everyday.....


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=84

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