"Self-discipline bridges the abyss that would keep us from our dreams.    ~ m j.

"Don't let the idea of the perfect, get in the way of the good."
                                                                                                  ~ Fay Barnett

Thought provocation

"The chief cause of failure and unhappiness
 is trading what we want most, for what we want at the moment."
 
                                                                    ~Author Unknown 

Simple

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
                                                                   ~ Albert Einstein 

Learn, Live, Hope.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow.
Sometimes, simple is best.

Drag your thoughts...

"Drag your thoughts away from your troubles...by the ears,
by the heels or any other way you can manage it."  
~ Mark Twain

Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~ Marianne Williamson
The above is a quote by Marianne Williamson from a movie called 'Akeelah and the Bee'.

"And as we let our own light shine.....as we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."

Each of us possess unique talents and abilities, solitary expressions of our individual life experience and personality from which others may draw to live fuller, richer lives. Your gift is yours alone to give. No other human has what you have to share.

"Your playing small does not serve the world..."

We are each meant to light an others way...
Whose life will change because of your influence, whom may you liberate with your courage?
Be bold, shine on.

mj

Your opine, Please.

I have for you, this evening, a question.
I love good questions, don't you?
I think ( oh! a clue to the question already ) I think this is a really good question. One with potential for debate of what you believe (yet another clue?).
Hopefully you will feel inclined to take part in this just for fun, while learning, project.
No answer will be considered wrong. Can't say I will brand any right, either.
Just a terrific opportunity to get your thinker thinking. We really do very little true thinking, you know...or at least that's what I think.
Earl Nightingale thought so too.
" Most people, if they said what they were thinking, would be speechless"; that's what Earl said.
So enough blaa blaa, here's your question.
Do your thoughts create your beliefs, or do your beliefs create your thoughts?
That's it.
So, what do you think and believe, or believe and think?
Perhaps you are thinking...He's really lost it this time, and that's OK.
Believe or think what you will.
I eagerly await your speculation and pontification.
I think ( there I go again ) believe this should be really fun.
So have fun!!
Post your answer in the comment/reply section below.
And as always, sincerely, thanks for reading and now playing along.

'Don't wish things were easier, Wish you were better."

Today I submit a tribute to the life and teachings of Jim Rohn.
I was fortunate to meet him one time. An extraordinary event for me. His handshake, his words, his eyes all conveyed his belief in me, in my abilities. I will never forget the brief time I spent with him.

Mr. Rohn's time in this system ended December 5th 2009, but his philosophy continues to change lives. The few 'Ramblings' I share are deeply influenced by this uncomplicated man. Outside my own father, he has influenced my philosophy more than any other human who was alive during my lifetime.

One of his teachings was; "Borrow all you can borrow. Give credit but borrow other peoples words." One example he would use was a quote from Winston Churchill. "The truth is incontrovertable. Malace may attack it and ignorance may deride it but in the end, there it is." Mr Rohn would then say..." I could stay up all night and not think of that!"

At the final tribute for Mr. Rohn, Darren Hardy gave these closing comments.
They are here for you to hear, in the link below.
Today I borrow, once again, Mr. Rohn's words through Mr. Hardy.
They are principles I believe in.
I hope they may mean as much to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkEkxpIEiHc

Thank you Mr. Rohn.

Writing

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." ~Red Smith

Permanent Purpose: The Butterfly Effect

“When you know that everything matters—that every move counts as much as any other—you will begin living a life of permanent purpose. A life of permanent purpose will make you a better parent, a better spouse and a more valuable friend. Your productivity and financial success will soar to new heights while the old days of uncertainty, doubt, and depression fade into the past.” Andy Andrews

This morning, I read this quote for the very first time. It is from the book:

The Butterfly Effect ~ by Andy Andrews.

This inspired me, filled with spirit.
Like many of you, I have long wondered what my purpose in life is. What am I to do or share that could possibly, positively, affect my family, my friends, co-workers and even the world? What special talent do I possess? What gift do I have to share? And then, in Andy's few simple words it all became radiantly clear.

Life is my purpose! 

Every moment, every breath, thought and action are my purpose, my gift. Each equally important for me and those with whom I share this world, for the generations to come.

In just the last 30 minutes, since reading this quote, I have accomplished several mundane tasks, things that normally fulfill my identity of Chief Procrastinator. But that was changed, like turning on a light, instant illumination. Each task was performed with love and thoughts of how it affects my wife and our relationship, how that affects our children, our friends and now you. 

I almost did not write this 'Rambling'. Doubt was creeping in, as it often does. Should I share and expose my feelings, my thoughts. 

Now I have my answer.
Of course.
This, and every choice I make, is my purpose, my Permanent Purpose.
I, for one, will now choose more wisely. For I now know that every choice matters, for all of us.
Here now flutter the gentle murmur of the butterflies' wings, from my purpose to yours.

What will be your choices today, tomorrow...?
What will you share with all of us?
What will your purpose mean, for the world?

The Goose with the Golden Egg

September 7th 2009. Another Labor Day has arrived, a day to honor the American Worker.


The individual citizen, each laboring at their chosen task is the very fiber of this of this place we call America. We have rolled along here for 233 years, growing, expanding, developing and sharing, unprecedented in recorded history.

Building on the beliefs and values of the founding fathers We The People, have raised and nurtured our very own Golden Goose. And what a Goose she is!!
I do not submit that she is perfect, for that is not the case. You may think that the goose eats too much. That may be true. But compare her to the other geese in the barnyard and she still looks pretty good to me.

Alas, as in the tale of old, our goose is being asked to produce more than she can. She is being starved and yet asked to give more and more to those who do less and less. They threaten to cut her open and redistribute her golden eggs. Then what? Her very survival is at stake. And with that our freedoms are also on the block.

“The way to empower a family, a business or a nation is to empower the individual.” –mj

It is through our combined personal strengths, efforts and contributions that we can keep our goose healthy, to make her even more bountiful and able to provide for ourselves and those who truthfully need help. The more we give to those that refuse to feed the goose, with reasonable taxes or personal service, the weaker she becomes.

We are a diverse country, comprised of cultures and histories from around the globe. That is an elemental factor that makes us strong. Those people came through Ellis Island, from all countries of the world, down through the years, to become Americans, to live the American dream, not to make Her into what they had just escaped. Why would they want to do that?

Each person must give of their portion to tend the goose,
to feed, care for and steel her for the years to come.

It is unreasonable to think that she can do it on her own.

Everyone who wishes to partake must contribute.

Celebrate today! Celebrate the American Worker.

Celebrate what has become the greatest nation on earth.

Our ancestors were key players in her rise. We must make certain to do our part to prevent her fall.

We are her caretakers.

It is up to us;

We The People.

Genius, Power & Magic

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951.