Have you ever found yourself surrounded by negativity wondering, “How in the world do I stay positive when it seems like everyone around me is so negative?” Thankfully, there are some specific actions you can take to fan the flame of a positive attitude and influence those around you caught up in negativity. 5 Simple […]
Abraham Lincoln stands head and shoulders above the crowd as an example of someone who endured in the face of adversity. The movie “Lincoln” was a great reminder of his struggle and triumph as he faced incredible odds. There are three qualities I admire as I think about the life he lived and the legacy […]
Some days I find myself wanting things to be just a little bit different. Does that ever happen to you? I’m not talking about the drive to improve and learn something new. I’m talking about the undercurrent of discontent that steals your joy and keeps your mind and heart from true gratitude. 1000 years ago […]
This week we heard the tragic news of murder charges laid against Oscar Pistorius, famously known as the “Blade Runner” from South Africa. He runs on two prosthetic limbs and competed in the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. I refer to him not because I’m declaring him guilty (the courts need to make that decision […]
It’s not how you start that really matters but how you finish. You obviously can’t finish what you haven’t started but in terms of easier, starting wins. Anyone can start a race, a project, a relationship, an education, the pursuit of a dream – but it takes character and tenacity to finish! One of the […]
There are two key ingredients in life’s recipe you need to survive and thrive during times of adversity. Internal strength of character and a band of brothers and sisters standing with you. The story is told of the first paratroopers in the US Army called Easy Company. One of their regular training drills was to […]
When is the last time you have heard the words “You have 0% chance of [insert the descriptive words for what you won’t be able to do]!”? Someone used those words on me just the other day. When someone uses the words “0% chance”, what are they saying? They could be imposing their low expectations […]
This top 10 list is gleaned from 21 months of suffering, tears, reflection, setbacks, surgeries, solitude, discoveries and lots of ups and downs. The order is random but the lessons are life changing. #10: Learn to like yourself and if you don’t, change. If you don’t like yourself and are forced to be alone much […]
The process of life goes something like this: You’re born dependent – you’re taught as a child to become independent – you’re reminded as a teenager to grow up and become interdependent – you live your adult years living both independent and interdependent then in old age you once again become dependent (and may fight […]
And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud became greater than the risk it took to blossom (Anais Nin). Not all risk is created equal. What may appear like a safe decision or action may actually be the greater risk. How do you tell the difference between playing […]