Curious about Questions: Do You Ask Good Ones? And Are They Expanding Your Horizons?

“'How do you know so much about everything?' was asked of a very wise and intelligent man; and the answer was 'By never being afraid or ashamed to ask questions as to anything of which I was ignorant.'” - John Abbott, British statesman

“Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” - Tony Robbins, American author

This weekend, I have been preparing for a workshop called, “Breaking the Conversation Barrier – What to Say after Saying ‘Hello.’” An important portion of the class is a section on questions. I even have cards that we use with conversation producing questions. I find that even with strangers, good questions can establish rapport almost immediately.

I have also found that when we ask thought provoking questions – rather than just a “How are you?” or “What do you think of this weather?” – we will find out so much more about a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone we have just met. People love to talk about themselves, so when we ask an open ended question that focuses on them or their opinion, they will usually open right up.

Good questions are also helpful when marketing, selling, networking, or socializing. We also need to ask ourselves good questions which help us to clarify, set worthwhile goals and intentions, and focus. The answers are not always what we want to know or hear.

In checking out the quotations containing “questions,” I found 14 filled pages of great quotations, so let me share a few:

• “In order for answers to become clear, the questions have to be clear.” - Abdolkarim Soroush, Iranian philosopher
• “I love the early process of asking questions about a story and deciding which questions matter most.” - Diane Sawyer, American journalist
• “I found I wasn't asking good enough questions because I assumed I knew something. I would box them into a corner with a badly formed question, and they didn't know how to get out of it. Now, I let them take me through it step by step, and I listen.” - Alan Alda, American actor
• “Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.” - Og Mandino, American author
• “The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.” - Richard Bach, American novelist
• “You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.” - Naguib Mahfouz, Egyptian novelist
• “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” – Voltaire, French writer

And three more to think about and chew upon:

• “If you are going to ask yourself life-changing questions, be sure to do something with the answers.” - Bo Bennett, American businessman
• “Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.” Edgar Cayce, American celebrity
• “There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.” - John Locke, English philosopher

So, how useful are your questions? My suggestion to be prepared every day with a good question to ask everyone you come in contact with. Just make sure that it is a question that you are comfortable with asking yourself first.

Curious about Addiction: Why, What and How Do We Develop and Have Addictions? And, Are All Addictions Bad?

Definition of Addiction: The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.

“I really love to act; I love everything about it. I've never had this addiction to being known. I mean, sure, if you go into acting, there's part of you that is saying, 'I want attention' but I was brought up to work to deserve attention, and it is the work, not the trappings that are important.” - Christopher Meloni, American actor

“I love making people laugh. It's an addiction and it's probably dysfunctional, but I am addicted to it and there's no greater pleasure for me than sitting in a theater and feeling a lot of people losing control of themselves.” - Jay Roach, American director

You are probably wondering why I ever chose addiction as this week’s theme. It started yesterday as I was driving home from two fitness training sessions. I heard a discussion on the radio about a boy who has become so addicted to computer games that his grades have gone from all A’s to all F’s. Physically, his health is deteriorating because he stays up all night many nights. And, he has lost interest in everything except these computer games.

The program started by telling about centers and camps that have sprung up to work with youngsters and even adults to help them overcome their addictions to computers.

I think that when we hear the word, “addiction” we immediately think of drugs, and yet there are many other addictions like TV watching, food and eating, chocolate and other candy and sweets. Are most addictions bad for us, or how about Meloni’s and Roach’s addictions to their work?

Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, thinks so. He said, “Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.”

I feel that most of us have addictions, even mild ones. Some are good and others are bad. But I also feel that we can overcome the bad ones, even though it might take a lot of hard work and bring on an addiction to breaking addictions or accomplishing goals.

The quotations I found – and not the usual plethora – were all quite varied and interesting. They should make you think as they did for me:

• “We may think there is willpower involved, but more likely... change is due to want power. Wanting the new addiction more than the old one. Wanting the new me in preference to the person I am now.” - George A. Sheehan, American writer
• “For decades the American people have had an addiction to oil and gas.” - Lee H. Hamilton, American politician
• “I admire anyone who rids himself of an addiction.” - Gene Tierney, American actress
• “I have a bit of a traveling addiction, and, ah, yeah. I went to, ah, Bali this summer.” - Fisher Stevens, American actor
• “The book can produce an addiction as fierce as heroin or nicotine, forcing us to spend much of our lives, like junkies, in book shops and libraries, those literary counterparts to the opium den.” - Phillip Adams, Australian writer
• “We are taught to consume. And that's what we do. But if we realized that there really is no reason to consume, that it's just a mind set, that it's just an addiction, then we wouldn't be out there stepping on people's hands climbing the corporate ladder of success.” - River Phoenix, American actor

I submit to you that we all have some addictions. I love working out, so spend a good bit of time teaching group fitness classes – actually 12 a week so that some would feel it is an addiction. I am also addicted to books and reading, the Internet, and my Portfolio Career – many careers at the same time. As long as I can remember, I have worked at staying slim – is food control an addiction?

Two more to think about:

“People who have never had an addiction don't understand how hard it can be.” – Payne Stewart, American athlete

“She goes from one addiction to another. All are ways for her to not feel her feelings.” - Ellen Burstyn, American actress

What are your good addictions? I would love to hear from you.

Curious about Journals: Do You or Have You Kept a Journal? What Are the Benefits?

I receive the “Early to Rise” e-newsletter Monday through Saturday. It is so good that even though I am often pressed for time, I read it word for word. Yesterday, my hero Michael Masterson wrote the article (I think of his articles as life’s lessons), “Tracking Your Success: Why You Should Keep a Daily Journal.”

Masterson wrote, “It may seem a self-centered pastime, but keeping a journal is actually an excellent career-building tool. It can help you figure out new directions for your life and then guide you as you go. . . . I've been keeping journals for more than 30 years now, and the pleasure of writing them has only increased over the years. In my earlier years, I kept journals sporadically.”

I have just returned to keeping a daily journal and find that it is like having someone keeping you accountable. Several years ago, I religiously, wrote “Morning Pages” (three pages written every morning, by hand, in a journal) and the results were fabulous. If I had worries, gripes or problems, once they were down on paper, they disappeared. And the good events and successes were always fun and enlightening to write about.

However, as I became more time strapped, I became a sporadic journaler. I am thrilled that I am back to it and the guidance and clarity I am enjoying. For today’s quotations, I am only including those that relate to the kind of journal Masterson and I refer to. Not the Journal of Medicine or the Wall Street Journal.

Here goes:

• “I write journals and would recommend journal writing to anyone who wishes to pursue a writing career. You learn a lot. You also remember a lot... and memory is important.” - Judy Collins, American musician
• “American Splendor is just an ongoing journal. It's an ongoing autobiography. I started it when I was in my early 30s, and I just keep going.” - Harvey Pekar, American writer
• “Keep a journal, and learn how to see how you as an individual sees information so you can learn your own sign language. Meditate and practice psychic self defense and surrounding yourself with prayer.” - John Edward, American entertainer
• “My job in space will be to observe and write a journal. I am also going to be teaching a class for students on earth about life in space and on the space shuttle and conducting experiments.” -Christa McAuliffe, American astronaut
• “When we saw our plane on TV as breaking news, it was the most surreal experience. A lot of the women were crying. There was a gentleman who was writing in his journal and crying. Seeing that isn't easy.” - Taryn Manning, American actress
• “After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.” - Jean Cocteau, French director

And one more for fun:

“A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion.” - James Boswell, Scottish lawyer

Do you keep a journal? How about daily? It doesn’t have to be a fancy, leather bound version. It can be a straight forward spiral notebook. I suggest hand writing it. I feel that there is a better connection between the hand and mind. And, let me know how it goes for you.

Curious about Status: What Is Yours? Do You Have a Status Quo?

“Status quo, you know, is Latin for 'the mess we're in'.” - Ronald Reagan, American President

“For years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it's time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion. It has been a status symbol in the maternity ward.” - Erma Bombeck, American journalist

I chose “status” for this week’s theme because in the past week I have heard it used as status quo, status symbol and our status statement on Facebook. Thinking about it, I realize that our status in a company, on the Internet, in a group to which we belong, our location and/or in our profession helps define us to others and ourselves.

When I first joined Facebook, the marketing leader with whom I was working suggested that I work on creating a large group of friends for both credibility and status. If we also work on becoming an expert in our chosen career or careers (as I have), we will establish a status that will bring readers, subscribers, and buyers to us. In addition, it will help us to find joint venture partners both on and off line.

The ultimate advantage will happen once you and I achieve status in a field of our choice. For example, I am a professional storyteller. I want other storytellers and listeners to suggest me for events, gigs and for information about storytelling, both on my Storytelling Power website and through my e-mail address.

Let me share some of the variety covered by quotations I found on status:

• “In a way, the sense of quality has improved, the status symbol of the small things is gone, and it is acceptable to use stainless steel, even if the neighbor uses silver.” - Arne Jacobsen, Danish architect
• “I find celebrity status difficult to bear when I am in the company of my mother.” – Phil Donahue, American TV personality
• “I have no nationality - the best possible status for an intellectual.” - Emile M. Cioran, Romanian philosopher
• “I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.” - Niccolo Machiavelli, Italian writer
• “The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.” - Warren G. Bennis, American psychologist
• “The bicycle is a former child's toy that has now been elevated to icon status because, presumably, it can move the human form from pillar to post without damage to the environment.” - Brock Yates, American editor
• “I'd like to believe that the women who wear my clothes are not dressing for other people, that they're wearing what they like and what suits them. It's not a status thing.” - Marc Jacobs, American designer

And three more to think about and chew upon:

• “Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That's their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood.” - Gloria Steinem, American activist
• “I think I've matured to a great extent. I think that I want different things now. That it's not about the celebrity status that you receive because you're doing the next hot movie. It's about doing good work.” - Emilio Estevez, American actor
• “I think the sexiest thing on anybody is intelligence. I respect somebody who has a brain and wants to use it more than a pretty face and status.” - Sophia Bush, American actress

I can relate to all three of the above quotations. How about you? What are your feelings and aspirations concerning status? I would love to hear from you.

Curious about Control: Happiness or Pain? (a reprint from 2005)

Today, while I was driving home from the gym coupled with running a few errands, I heard snippets of a National Public Radio (NPR) show about happiness. The parts that I heard were not only interesting, but also affirming.

It was stated that discoveries are being made that whether or not we are disposed to happiness, depression or anxiety is being traced to our genetic makeup. And also, that even if we feel there is something - like achieving great material wealth - that would make us happy, once we accomplish it, we find that it just becomes a common and accepted part of our lives.

The part of the discussion that held the most meaning and affirming quality for me was when the panel was asked what produced the most happiness. The answer was “control.” They were not referring to someone else controlling us - I have worked for several “control freaks” which only produces pain and frustration. They were talking about us being in control of our lives and our destiny.

I know that this is why I am so happy - even though I sometimes feel guilty that I am not striving to become a millionaire. I control how I spend my days and nights. I am also in control of my health, my living conditions, my work, my social life, my entertainment, my involvement in activities, and the list goes on and on.

As you know, I love to find out what other people think and have said about a topic, so here are a few of the wonderful “control” quotations that I found:

• Barbara De Angelis expressed my thoughts completely, “No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.”
• Albert Bandura mirrored what I tell my fitness classes, “By exercising control over a few healthy habits, people can live longer, healthier lives and slow the process of aging.”
• And even Buddha expressed, “To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.”

I would be remiss if I didn’t also include some of my favorite self-improvement gurus.

• Yes, I know this is a bit repetitious, but as Jane Fonda wrote, “We cannot always control our thoughts, but we can control our words, and repetition impresses the subconscious, and we are then master of the situation.”
• My life-changer, Tony Robbins, said, “The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you.”
• Another influencer, Brian Tracy, said, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
• And, finally, Mark Victor Hansen suggests, “You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands - your own.”

That’s enough for now, but before I close and because I have you, I hope, in a happy state, let me direct you to a website that was mentioned on the NPR program today. You know how the news is generally “bad.” Well, there is now a website called Happy News that puts a positive spin on the news. I think you will enjoy it.

And, take control! You will be happy you did.

Curious about The Zone: What Does It Mean to You? What Is the Impact of Your Zone?

Definition of Zone: A life zone; as, Littoral zone, Austral zone, etc. A series of planes having mutually parallel intersections. Circuit; circumference. To girdle; to encircle.

“That's the best thing about writing, when you're in that zone, you're porous, ready to absorb the solution.” - Michael Chabon, American author

When I picked “zone” for this week’s blog, I was thinking about the zone that Michael Chabon is writing about. When we are so involved and passionate about what we are doing we lose complete track of time and anything else that is happening around us. It has also been referred to as “being in the state of flow.”

However, when I started investigating zone quotations, I was reminded of comfort zones – which can be both helpful and detrimental – and other types of zones. I will not use the quotations about war zones, and, thankfully, there weren’t many. I do want to question the good and the bad of comfort zones.

Yes, we can rely upon our comfort zones too much and therefore lose the benefits that results from taking risks. And yet, I submit to you that maintaining and using certain comfort zones can establish rewarding routines. For example, I was watching a “productivity” video presented by one of my favorite gurus, Eben Pagen. He extolled the virtues of establishing healthy routines – especially the first hour of the morning. I teach fitness classes five days a week and even though I am working hard physically, I am in one of my comfort zones. Nothing wrong with that - considering the great payoff!

I know that you will be prompted to thinking in different ways about zones, after reading some of the following quotations:

• “Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” - Brian Tracy, American author and motivator
• “I'm at a point where I don't have to wait for the income from the record to survive, so I'm in a comfortable zone, but I'll make rap records as long as I feel I have something to rap about.” - Ice T, American musician
• “Working out is my biggest hobby. It's my Zen hour. I just zone out.” - Zac Efron, American actor
• “To the degree we're not living our dreams, our comfort zone has more control of us than we have over ourselves.” - Peter McWilliams, American writer
• “I was deep in the zone of practicing almost constantly.” - Pat Metheny, American musician
• “You lose your habitual behavior, which allowed you to sort of zone out. You have to be here, you have to be now, you have to be present.” - Sally Field, American actress
• “So I had to just kind of go back to the hotel, take a shower, sit quiet, dig down deep, warm up, and allow myself to move into some kind of zone. And then I remembered that a lot of my favorite musical moments are not about perfection.” - Kathy Mattea, American musician

And three more to chew on:

• “So you have to force yourself out of a comfort zone and really try to figure out what are the key ingredients, the key skill sets, the key perspectives that are necessary, and then figure out a way to attract the very best people to fill those particular roles.” - Steve Case, American businessman
• “Light is meaningful only in relation to darkness, and truth presupposes error. It is these mingled opposites which people our life, which make it pungent, intoxicating. We only exist in terms of this conflict, in the zone where black and white clash.” - Louis Aragon, French poet
• “If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.” - Les Brown, American presenter and motivator

So, what are your zones? Do you have some comfort zones that help you, or some that are holding you back? Are there types of zones that I have failed to mention? Share them with us.

Curious about Magic: Do You Believe in It? Use It? Or Feel that It Is Baloney?

Definition of Magic: A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.

“A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” - Colin Powell, American statesman

You are probably wondering why I, a believer in the Law of Attraction with a background in mathematics and science, would choose “magic” for this week’s theme. Well, I do believe that we make our own magic. We do have to believe that it will work and take Colin Powell’s formula to heart.

Each year, I like to set a theme for that year. Last year’s was “remarkable” and when I list all of the good and bad experiences in my 2009, it was a remarkable year – actually life changing in many ways. I suggest that you make a two column list – experiences on one side and what you gained and learned from the experience on the other side. What a magical eye opener!

So, why “magic?” One of my goals for this holiday window was to create a new blog to accompany the e-book I am writing about “How to Reap the Rewards of a Portfolio Career.” It is a wordpress.org blog, and I have been learning and grappling with the ins and outs involved. When I picked the domain name, I decided on www.MagicInTheMix.com because I feel that through this blog I will be able to encourage those who want to or are pursuing a Portfolio Career (many careers at the same time).

Down with the nay-sayers! I feel that with the right attitude, tools, and focus, that we will find “Magic in the Mix.” I know that I do already. Yes, I am even more determined than ever to have a magical year.

The quotations I found were many and showed that the experts vary in how they view magic. What about you? Here goes:

• “There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” - Norman Vincent Peale, American clergyman
• “Words to me were magic. You could say a word and it could conjure up all kinds of images or feelings or a chilly sensation or whatever. It was amazing to me that words had this power.” - Amy Tan, American novelist
• “Real magic in relationships means an absence of judgment of others.” - Wayne Dyer, American psychologist
• “Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.” -
  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet
• “Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible.” - Carol Moseley Braun, American politician
• “Our time here is magic! It's the only space you have to realize whatever it is that is beautiful, whatever is true, whatever is great, whatever is potential, whatever is rare, whatever is unique, in. It's the only space.” – Ben Okri, Nigerian poet

And, some more with a little different twist:

• “Dream no small dream; it lacks magic. Dream large. Then make the dream real.” -
  Donald Wills Douglas, American aviator
• “Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” - W. Clement Stone, American businessman
• “An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.” –
  William Bernbach, American businessman
• “And where does magic come from? I think that magic's in the learning.” - Dar Williams, American musician
• “Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable.” - Margot Fonteyn, English dancer
• “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” - J. B. Priestley, British writer

One more to chew upon:

“Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Clause. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?” - Jon Bon Jovi, American musician

So, do you believe in magic? And how about choosing a theme for 2010? Do you have one? Let me hear from you.

Curious about Meditation: Have You or Do You Practice It? How Does It Work for You?

Definition of Meditation: Close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing. Thought; -- without regard to kind.

“Meditation is painful in the beginning but it bestows immortal Bliss and supreme joy in the end.” - Swami Sivananda, Indian philosopher

“Yoga is a great thing and meditation is also great to get connected to yourself more.” - Ziggy Marley, American musician

Both of the above quotations could be credited to me. If you had asked me a year ago if I meditated, I would have answered with an emphatic “no.” Even though I have heard and read how healing and important meditation is, I felt it was not for me. However, a large majority of those mentors I revere and follow practice meditation daily. And swear by it and its benefits.

Swami Sivananda’s reference to “pain” describes my first real attempt at meditation. I was attending a storyteller’s retreat and every morning before breakfast we would meet in the large front room of the lodge for 30 minutes of meditation. We would take our places on large floor pillows and were then expected to rid our minds of thoughts (totally impossible). I found out very quickly that this practice was terribly painful for me, even though I was and am fit and flexible.

In the past two years, I have been teaching a Yoga class for Seniors that has not only become quite popular, but has also convinced me of yoga’s power to make me and the other
participants feel wonderful, relaxed, and, yes, has also helped me “connect to myself” more. I am convinced that it results from the deep breathing and the meditative effect of the positions.

And then, two weeks ago I found the audio version of Mark Thornton’s book, Meditation in a New York Minute: Super Calm for the Super Busy. Wow! I am following his rules and techniques for meditation – and I am meditating with joy. I now know why so many sing its praises.

While hunting through the meditation quotations, I found it interesting that the originators’ names were unfamiliar for the most part. Let’s share some:

• “This life that has been given to us as a gift, as such a precious gift. To really try to understand it, really try to recognize it, is the greatest meditation. Through the media of this Knowledge we can tap into our inner sources that are so beautiful.” - Prem Rawat, Indian yogi
• “Yoga introduced me to a style of meditation. The only meditation I would have done before would be in the writing of songs.” – Sting, British musician
• “Meditation is the soul's perspective glass.” - Owen Feltham, British author
• “The affairs of the world will go on forever. Do not delay the practice of meditation.” - Milarepa, Tibetan yogi
• “Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit.” - Jeremy Taylor, British clergyman
• “No great work has ever been produced except after a long interval of still and musing meditation.” - Walter Bagehot, English author

And three more for good measure:

• “The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.” - William Godwin, English writer
• “The seated lotus postures are an amazing way to go into meditation, or simply just to take a moment to ground oneself.” - Christy Turlington, American model
• “The more intense the nature of a man, the more readily will he find meditation, and the more successfully will he practice it.” - James Allen, British author

If you have meditated before, or are just interested in trying it out, I suggest getting a hold of Thornton’s book. Let me know how it works with and for you.

Curious about Empathy: How Important Is It to You? Do You Have It or Need to Work on It?

“When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you.” - Susan Sarandon, American actress

“We need somebody who's got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom, the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old - and that's the criterion by which I'll be selecting my judges.” - Barack Obama, American President

I have been reading Daniel Pink’s fascinating “mind altering” book, “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.” Being more of a right brained person (creative, imaginative, artistic, and a storyteller), I am excited about Pink’s approach.

In his words, “The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind – computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers – will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”

Pink devotes a whole chapter to empathy, listing assessments, learning about facial expressions from Paul Ekman, evesdropping, playing an interactive “whose life?” exercise. He also suggests that we empathize on the job, take an acting class, get mind reading, don’t outsource our empathy, and volunteer.

I didn’t find many quotations using the word “empathy” but the ones I did find were all quite positive in flavor. Let me share a few:

• “There is also a natural and very, very strong empathy with the underdog, with people who have suffered, people who have been pushed around by foreigners in particular, but also by their own people.” - Lakhdar Brahimi, International Public Servant
• “True contentment comes with empathy.” - Tim Finn, New Zealand musician
• “If your emotional abilities aren't in hand, if you don't have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can't have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.” - Daniel Goleman, American author
• “Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.” - Alice Miller, Swiss psychologist
• “Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they censor themselves. I realize my audience is diverse. Some will read with empathy and curiosity while others will take offense.” - John Barton, Canadian poet
• “The discoveries of how we can grow and the insights we need to have really come from the inside out. To have genuine empathy, not as a make-nice tool but as an understanding, is essential to the next step.” - Patricia Sun, American philosopher and communicator
• “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” - Meryl Streep, American actress

And one that should put a smile on your face:

“I have absolutely no empathy for camels. I didn't care for being abused in the Middle East by those horrible, horrible, horrible creatures. They don't like people. It's not at all like the relationship between horses and humans.” - Rachel Weisz, British actress

So, check yourself. How empathic are you? I also suggest reading this refreshing book by Daniel Pink. Let me know what you think.

Curious about the Element: What Is It? Have You Found Yours? Or Has It Found You?

“The Element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves, most inspired, and achieve at their highest levels.” From: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson, Ph.D. - one of the world's leading thinkers and speakers on creativity and innovation, Robinson’s The Element is a breakthrough book about talent, passion, and achievement.

I chose this theme because I am in the middle of listening to the audio version of The Element and am completely blown away by the stories that Ken Robinson is sharing.

I have always been distressed to learn that so many people are working and/or living lives that they hate or find distasteful, because they don’t pursue their passions. So many of us have bought into doing what we are expected to do by society. Our parents and teachers mean well and really want the best for us.

Robinson describes the epiphanies that have spurred creatives to pursue what they love with a passion, despite the discouragement and negative reactions of others. Are you doing what you love – often using your natural abilities? I feel that it is never too late or too early to start.

I did not find many quotations that fit “element” the way Robinson defines it, but I did find many worthwhile quotations that I feel are worth reading. Here goes:

• That was a real learning element for me, because I realized that the more true you are to yourself, the more you will lose people.” - Bill Sienkiewicz, American artist
• “The essential element in personal magnetism is a consuming sincerity - an overwhelming faith in the importance of the work one has to do.” - Bruce Barton, American author
• “No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.” – Edward Hopper, American artist
• “Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet
• “Time is the most precious element of human existence. The successful person knows how to put energy into time and how to draw success from time.” - Denis Waitley, American writer
• “Without the element of uncertainty, the bringing off of even, the greatest business triumph would be dull, routine, and eminently unsatisfying.” - J. Paul Getty, American businessman

And, some more for those of you who love quotations and learn from them as much as I do:

• “In theory there is a possibility of perfect happiness: To believe in the indestructible element within one, and not to strive towards it.” - Franz Kafka, Austrian poet
• “It is energy - the central element of which is will - that produces the miracle that is enthusiasm in all ages. Everywhere it is what is called force of character and the sustaining power of all great action.” - Samuel Smiles, Scottish author
• “I'm still excited at being at a microphone and talking to listeners. I love that. It's the most basic element of what I do and I still enjoy it very much.” - Bob Edwards, American journalist
• “A creative element is surely present in all great systems, and it does not seem possible that all sympathy or fundamental attitudes of will can be entirely eliminated from any human philosophy.” - Morris Raphael Cohen, Russian philosopher
• “Always in my books, I like to throw that rogue element into a stable situation and then see what happens.” - Jeanette Winterson, British novelist
• “An element of exaggeration clings to the popular judgment: great vices are made greater, great virtues greater also; interesting incidents are made more interesting, softer legends more soft.” - Walter Bagehot, English author

So, what do you think? Robinson has reinforced for me the importance of finding and pursuing our passion – and I do. Hooray!

Curious about Worry: Does Worry Ever Attack You? What Do You Worry About, If You Do?

Definition of Worry: To harass or beset with importunity, or with care an anxiety; to vex; to annoy; to torment; to tease; to fret; to trouble; to plague. To feel or express undue care and anxiety; to manifest disquietude or pain; to be fretful.

“It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there's nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized.” - Wayne Dyer, American psychologist

I pride myself on not being a worrier. When I am teaching my Yoga class, I always urge participants to clear their minds of worries, concerns, and unnecessary thoughts. And, I have always agreed with and practiced what Wayne Dyer states in the above quotation.

But, during this past week, I let worry attack me. On Wednesdays I teach three fitness classes in a row. After the first one, the young man who handles the desk at the club where I was teaching, came in and handed me a note to call the woman who is the regional director for the classes at the present club and another club where I teach. He said that there was some sort of problem with confusion at the other club. Not having time to call between classes – and they don’t allow us to make long distance calls and she is long distance – I waited until after the classes. Then, I got her voice mail.

Even though I know better, I had already started to worry through the second and third classes, and then the rest of the afternoon. Both Bo Bennett and John Lubbock express how I reacted. American businessman Bennett said, “While we are focusing on fear, worry, or hate, it is not possible for us to be experiencing happiness, enthusiasm or love.” And, British statesman Lubbock said, “A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.”

When I finally made contact with the director, I discovered that her call was over a minor glitch and we had a delightful conversation. All that worry for nothing! So, I am writing this blog to remind all of us – and me in particular – of the futility of worry.

Let’s share some great quotations:

• “It is not the end of the physical body that should worry us. Rather, our concern must be to live while we're alive - to release our inner selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a facade designed to conform to external definitions of who and what we are.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, American psychologist
• “I think the most important thing for an artist is to not worry about what anybody else thinks. You just have to do what comes from your heart and your being and put it out there-that's true in any of the arts.” - Rosanna Arquette, American actress
• “Worry is a useless mulling over of things we cannot change.” - Peace Pilgrim, American activist
• “If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.” - Dale Carnegie, American writer
• “Success is having to worry about every damn thing in the world, except money.” Johnny Cash, American musician
• “If you ever have the good fortune to create a great advertising campaign, you will soon see another agency steal it. This is irritating, but don't let it worry you; nobody has ever built a brand by imitating somebody else's advertising.” - David Ogilvy, American advertiser

And a couple more to take with you for your upcoming week:

“Do not worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older it will avoid you.” - Joey Adams, American comedian

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” - Leo Buscaglia, American author

I learned that we are all susceptible to worry – even when we know it doesn’t do us a bit of good. How does it affect you? And, how often? I would love to hear from you.

Curious about Standards: What Standards Have You Set for Yourself, Your Life, and Your Work?

Definition of Standard: That which is established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality. That which is established as a rule or model by authority, custom, or general consent; criterion; test. Having a recognized and permanent value.

“You can become an even more excellent person by constantly setting higher and higher standards for yourself and then by doing everything possible to live up to those standards.” - Brian Tracy, American author

I just finished the audio recorded book, “Think Like a Champion – An Informal Education in Business and Life” by Donald J. Trump with Meredith McIver. I have heard and read both complimentary and uncomplimentary statements about Trump, and will admit that I enjoyed and learned a great deal from his approach.

Throughout the book, Trump referred to his “Standard” and sticking to his “Standard.” After hearing his words, I started thinking about the standards that were stressed for me by my parents, teachers, and the environments in which I grew up and still live by.

I feel that we all set our own standards – hopefully high - and that it is not always a smooth life and road when we stick with them. However, when we are firm about them, we will find that our outcomes, relationships, and reputation will thrive. I know that after finishing the book, I do have a high opinion of Donald Trump and what he has accomplished.

I have a new daily journal now for recording goals, a list of what I am grateful for, and I am using it to also list my standards and the “higher and higher standards” that Brian Tracy is suggesting that we set for ourselves.

I also found some excellent quotations about standards, so let me share them with you:

• “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” - Ray Kroc, American businessman


• “When you're around someone good, your own standards are raised.” - Ritchie Blackmore, English musician


• “Let us be about setting high standards for life, love, creativity, and wisdom. If our expectations in these areas are low, we are not likely to experience wellness. Setting high standards makes every day and every decade worth looking forward to.” - Greg Anderson, American athlete


• “What matters is that you are doing what you think is right based on the standards which you hold.” - Walter Annenberg, American businessman


• “We have to set our own agenda, we have to set our own standards, we have to be very strong about what we want, we have to be very strong about our passion and if it's not right for you, you shouldn't do it just because you're advised by so-called geniuses.” - Jackie DeShannon, American musician


• “If there are flaws they are in ourselves, and our task therefore must be one not of redesign but of renewal and reaffirmation, especially of the standards in which all of us believe.” - Elliot Richardson, American lawyer

And, a few more with a bit of a different approach:

• “People mistake their limitations for high standards.” - Jean Toomer, American author


• “Sam Walton was a master storyteller who used illustrative stories to reinforce his cultural standards.” - Michael Bergdahl, American author


• “Soldiers, when committed to a task, can't compromise. It's unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it's been done.” - John Keegan, English historian


• “It's hard not to play golf that's up to Jack Nicklaus standards when you are Jack Nicklaus.” – Jack Nicklaus, American athlete


• “Standards of beauty are arbitrary. Body shame exists only to the extent that our physiques don't match our own beliefs about how we should look.” - Martha Beck, American author


• “The nicest thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.” – Ken Olsen, American businessman

What are your standards? They rank up there with values and principles. I know that some gurus call them “golden bricks.” Make your list – and add a couple of new ones that are higher than the others.

Curious about Systems: We All Have Systems for Our Lives. What Are Yours? And Are They Working Effectively?

“The way to build a complex system that works is to build it from very simple systems that work.” - Kevin Kelly, American editor

“Man's striving for order, of which art is but one manifestation, derives from a similar universal tendency throughout the organic world; it is also paralleled by, and perhaps derived from, the striving towards the state of simplest structure in physical systems.” - Rudolf Arnheim, German artist

I know that I have written previously about “Systems.” However, I am thinking a lot about them because I just visited my daughter and her husband in Hawaii, where they have created and make use of systems in their successful Hawaiian basket business. The baskets, which sell abundantly, are beautiful and striking with each one being unique.

When I asked my daughter about how they produce and sell so many baskets, she answered immediately with the seven steps they take for each. They have devised the systems that work, starting with collecting the natural ingredients to the final mailing of the baskets to purchasers. She and her husband have the procedure in place, and each knows and fulfills their step and/or steps for which they are responsible. Note that there is overlapping of some of the steps.

This successful organization of systems started me thinking about my “Portfolio Career” – many careers at the same time – and how I do have systems in place for many of the careers and yet not for others.

For example, in teaching my group fitness classes I definitely follow systems and notice that my students enjoy the organization. When it comes to writing, I have systems in place for my e-newsletters, but not so for my e-books which lag behind. I am developing systems for handling social media networking and one-on-one coaching. I also realize that once I develop systems for each of my careers, I become more and more productive in that area.

What about you?

Let’s share some of the great quotations I found:

• “A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.” - Stephen Covey, American businessman


• “A creative element is surely present in all great systems, and it does not seem possible that all sympathy or fundamental attitudes of will can be entirely eliminated from any human philosophy.” - Morris Raphael Cohen, Russian philosopher


• “All physical systems can be thought of as registering and processing information, and how one wishes to define computation will determine your view of what computation consists of.” - Seth Lloyd, American educator


• “Human beings, viewed as behaving systems, are quite simple. The apparent complexity of our behavior over time is largely a reflection of the complexity of the environment in which we find ourselves.” - Herbert Simon, American scientist


• “Systems are to be appreciated by their general effects, and not by particular exceptions.” - James F. Cooper, American novelist


• “In simple terms, we are aligning our business today with the way we believe future systems are going to be designed, acquired and maintained.” - Phil Condit, American businessman

And a couple more for you to chew upon:

“I believe that our very survival depends upon us becoming better systems thinkers.” - Margaret J. Wheatley, American writer

“In my case, I used the elements of these simple forms - square, cube, line and color - to produce logical systems. Most of these systems were finite; that is, they were complete using all possible variations. This kept them simple.” - Sol LeWitt, American artist

So, how about you? Do you have systems that work for you? We would love to have you share them.

Curious about Ambiguity and Being Ambiguous: Do You Make Use of It? And, How Does It Serve You, Your Life and Your Business?

Definition of Ambiguous: Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course; an ambiguous expression.

“All knowledge is ambiguous.” - J. S. Habgood, British game developer

Definition of Ambiguity: The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression.

“The purpose of narrative is to present us with complexity and ambiguity.” - Scott Turow, American novelist

Complexity and ambiguity do go “hand in hand.” I feel that if we examine our lives and our work, especially during our current high speed existence, we will discover that our days are filled with both of them. And yet, years and years ago, Leonardo da Vinci embraced them. One of my favorite books, Michael Gelb's "How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci," includes a chapter called, "Sfumato: A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty."

You will find an excellent article about this, written by Linda Dessau, by clicking HERE

How do you feel about ambiguity? Do you make use of it? I am a storyteller, and often after I have finished telling, listeners will ask, “Was that true?” Rather than disappointing them and, I feel, hurting the story, I will answer rather ambiguously. “What do you think?” or “Every story has some truth.”

As you can imagine, the quotations for ambiguous and ambiguity also provide examples of both. Have fun thinking and chewing on them and their wisdom:

• “I was perceiving myself as good as a man or equal to a man and as powerful and I wanted to look ambiguous because I thought that was a very interesting statement to make through the media. And it certainly did cause quite a few ripples and interest and shock waves.” - Annie Lennox, Scottish musician


• “There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.” - Thomas Reid, Scottish philosopher


• “I look for ambiguity when I'm writing because life is ambiguous.” - Keith Richards, British musician


• “Take advantage of the ambiguity in the world. Look at something and think what else it might be.” - Roger von Oech, American creativity writer


• “Journalists do not like to report on uncertainties. They would almost rather be wrong than ambiguous.” - Melvin Maddocks, British writer


• “Neurosis is the inability to tolerate ambiguity.” - Sigmund Freud, Austrian psychologist

And, two more for the road:

“I think great art is always ambiguous and can't be pinned down.” - Stephen Rea, Irish actor

“You know, people who almost - yeah, there's a slight reluctance there - but there's also an ambiguity. What are their morals? What is their code of living. What are they really doing here. And it is just interesting because it is never black or white.” - Matt Robinson, American actor

So, how do you feel about being ambiguous and using ambiguity? Don’t hesitate to be and use both in your responses.

Curious about Learn and Learning: How Much Are You Learning? And How Are You Doing It?

Definition of Learning: of Learn; The acquisition of knowledge or skill; as, the learning of languages; the learning of telegraphy. The knowledge or skill received by instruction or study; acquired knowledge or ideas in any branch of science or literature; erudition; literature; science; as, he is a man of great learning.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” – Henry Ford, American businessman

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher

WOW! I chose “Learn and Learning” for this week’s theme, because this past week has been overloaded with learning – “especially by experience which is the bitterest.” If you had asked me three weeks ago for one of the best learning quotations, I would have definitely chosen the above Henry Ford quotation. I have always been a lifetime learner who works constantly at keeping my “mind young.”

However, the past two weeks – and especially this past week – I have been painfully learning and learning and learning some more. You may be now asking, “Why, what happened.”

Two weeks ago to the day, I inadvertently deleted some important files from my computer. When I tried to run the restore feature, it wouldn’t complete it and, even though I tried everything I could think of, it still wouldn’t boot up. For the whole following week, my computer was in the computer hospital being worked upon by a knowledgeable technician.

What did I learn? First of all, that even though I have been backing up files and the whole computer regularly, it doesn’t guarantee freedom from worry. Secondly, even though I feel rather savvy when it comes to computers, I still have a huge amount to learn. And, thirdly, don’t try something too quickly without reading the manual.

I brought my computer home the beginning of this week, and started setting it up on Tuesday. Fortunately, I only lost a few files. But, as the computer doctor told me, I would have to reinstall my programs. This is where the learning really started. I have one more important file to go – phew. I have faced activation challenges because of updates and “error” messages galore. Don’t worry, I am not going to bore you with the gory details.

But, there is always a silver lining! My computer is now working more efficiently and a good deal faster than before. I only am using those programs that are truly important for what I do. So, as I have always believed, everything happens on purpose. Between the learning, the purging and the reinstalling, I feel like I have a brand new computer. Hooray!

Of course, you know that I found some great quotations:

• “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.” - Mortimer Adler, American philosopher
• “I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kind of freedoms that they're interested in.” - Bill Gates, American businessman
• “He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet.” - Joseph Joubert, French writer
• “An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.” Jack Welch, American businessman
• “A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.” - Frederick Douglass, American author
• “I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.” - Lou Holtz, American coach
• “Learning too soon our limitations, we never learn our powers.” - Mignon McLaughlin, American journalist

And, three more to learn from:

• “It has taken me years of struggle, hard work and research to learn to make one simple gesture, and I know enough about the art of writing to realize that it would take as many years of concentrated effort to write one simple, beautiful sentence.” - Isadora Duncan, American damcer
• “The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you.” - Tony Robbins, American author and motivator
• “You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” - Franklin P. Jones, American businessman

What have you learned lately? I hope it hasn’t been painful while being a mind enhancer!

Curious about Reach: What Are You Reaching For? How High, Wide, or Low Is Your Reach?

“Stride forward with a firm, steady step knowing with a deep, certain inner knowing that you will reach every goal you set yourselves, that you will achieve every aim .” - Eileen Caddy, English celebrity

I really relate to Eileen Caddy’s quotation. One of my top goals and/or aims has been to reach a wide number of people with whom to form relationships, so that I can help them with their communications, careers and creative ideas. Earlier this year I was involved with an excellent training course in marketing. Our leader suggested that we become involved with Facebook and form a large group of friends.

Eureka! I have been loving every minute of reaching a large and wide group of great people from all over the world. Hence, I chose “Reach” for this week’s theme.

When I started to read and pick the quotations, I found quite a variety of approaches. So many applied to my life and business that I decided to stray a bit from my original idea(s). I also urge you to let yourself consider how your experiences relate to reach and what you are reaching for.

Warning: a change in pace, but still a foundation of reaching.

“There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.” - Richard Bach, American novelist

Richard Bach is speaking directly to me. I have always felt that everything happens for a reason. I have spent this whole last week learning from the “events I brought on myself.” I spend a great deal of time on the computer. And, I also pride myself on being rather savvy when it comes to computers. So, last Sunday I was working on cleaning up my computer’s software when I inadvertently deleted some files I shouldn’t have.

As soon as I realized this, I attempted a restore which left me without my operating system able to boot up. After spending several hours trying everything I could think of, I admitted the machine to the computer hospital and it is still there. (Should be released on Monday). Yes, it has been “unpleasant” and I have learned the importance of taking care of my laptop, having backups (hopefully, the ones I took to the computer hospital will fill in the spaces), and having important files on flash disks. Please reach out and cross your fingers for me.

On with the quotations:

• “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher
• “You reach a point where you don't work for money.” - Walt Disney, American cartoonist
• “People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.” - Helen Keller, American author
• “Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.” - Salvador Dali, Spanish artist
• Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.” - Earl Nightingale, American entertainer
• “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit.” - Bear Bryant, American coach

And three more that I relate to completely:

• “It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.” - Joyce Maynard, American writer
• “It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.” - Arnold J. Toynbee, British historian
• “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.” - Benjamin Franklin, American statesman

What are you reaching for? It is fine and productive to take small steps and keep on keeping on. I would love to hear from you!

Curious about Destination: Do You Have a Solid One? Ask Yourself What Is It?

Definition of Destination: Purpose for which anything is destined; predetermined end, object, or use; ultimate design. The place set for the end of a journey, or to which something is sent; place or point aimed at.

“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” Earl Nightingale, American businessman

I have read and heard from many gurus about the importance of having a destination. We need to know where we are going – where we want to be. I have always felt that the destination is another way to describe a goal or an intention.

However, when I started looking up quotations for this blog, I found that there were quite a few who felt that the journey or going through the process was more important than the destination. I certainly see their reasoning. If the destination is a goal, and while we are on the journey we learn and experience alternative approaches, we may find it makes sense to re-adjust our destination – or is it?

I am going to share some of these different ideas, and let you decide for your own situation. The one suggestion I have for you, though, is to make sure that you are on the journey – not just sitting around trying to decide on a destination.

The journey group quotations:

• “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” - Carl Rogers, American psychologist
• “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” - Arthur Ashe, American athlete
• “Life to me is a journey - you never know what may be your next destination.” - David Russell, Scottish musician
• “Life's a journey, not a destination.” - Steven Tyler- American musician

The destination group quotations:

• “You will now have a starting place and a destination, and you will be able to determine what it will cost you to get there. You will be going someplace.” - H. Stanley Judd, American author
• “It has never been, and never will be easy work! But the road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.” - Marion Zimmer Bradley, American writer
• “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” - Christopher Columbus, Italian explorer
• “I think that my biggest role models are people that have maybe struggled for a while and then finally gotten to their destination.” - Jonathan Brandis, American actor
• “Follow what you are genuinely passionate about and let that guide you to your destination.” - Diane Sawyer, American journalist
• “The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started.” - Norman Cousins, American editor

And two with a combined twist:

“The road leading to a goal does not separate you from the destination; it is essentially a part of it.” - Charles de Lint, Canadian writer

“If we are always arriving and departing, it is also true that we are eternally anchored. One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.” - Henry Miller, American author

So, I ask you. Do you have a destination and know where you are going or as Zig Ziglar asks, “Are you a wandering generality?” Send me your feedback.

Curious about Abundance: Do You Believe that We All Have Abundance? What Signifies It?

Definition of Abundance : An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly applicable to quantity only, but sometimes used of number.

“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car... a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.” - Ben Sweetland, American author

Yes, we are experiencing a Recession. And, yes, many of us have had to cut back on our spending – I know, I’ve been there, too. Even my favorite radio station, NPR, that usually highlights the positive news has been interviewing people who are out of work or have experienced foreclosure. I am listening to inspirational, positive tapes and CDs instead.

Maybe to some it’s a sign of avoidance and denial, but I fear that it is so much easier to focus on lack – recession or no recession - rather than on abundance.

“When you have too much month for you paycheck, then what you need to do is realize that there is abundance all around you and focus on the abundance and not your lack and as night follows day abundance will come to you.” - Sydney Madwed, American businessman

When I started looking up “abundance” quotations – and they aren’t necessarily current – I found fewer than 3 ½ pages. Out of interest, I looked up “lack” and found 14 pages. That is an incredible difference. That’s why I decided to make this blog positive and encouraging. If you are not looking for positivity, this blog is not for you.

Here are some quotations to help influence and take to heart:

• “Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.” - Sarah Ban Breathnach, American author
• “Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.” - Saint Basil, Greek saint
• “I noted that people are happy here in India. When I went back home, people had everything in the materialistic sense and were surrounded with abundance, but they were not happy.” - Goldie Hawn, American actress
• “What is called genius is the abundance of life and health.” - Henry David Thoreau, American author
• “Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” – Epicurus, Greek philosopher
• “Expect your every need to be met. Expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level.” - Eileen Caddy, English celebrity

And, two more for us to remember, use, and chew upon:

“Your most precious, valued possessions and your greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one can take them. You, and you alone, can give them. You will receive abundance for your giving.” - W. Clement Stone, American businessman

“Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.” - Wayne Dyer, American psychologist

I would love to hear about the abundance in your life. Drop me a comment, and do have a terrific, abundant week!

Curious about Diet: Is Your Lifestyle Diet Working as a Healthy Habit or Is It Making Your Real Age Older?

Definition of Diet: Course of living or nourishment; what is eaten and drunk habitually; food; victuals; fare. A course of food selected with reference to a particular state of health; prescribed allowance of food; regimen prescribed. To cause to eat and drink sparingly, or by prescribed rules; to regulate medicinally the food of. To eat according to prescribed rules; to eat sparingly; as, the doctor says he must diet.

“I certainly feel that the time is not far distant when a knowledge of the principles of diet will be an essential part of one's education. Then mankind will eat to live, be able to do better mental and physical work and disease will be less frequent.” - Fannie Farmer (1857-1915), American celebrity

Well, Fannie Farmer missed the mark, didn’t she? Obesity in our country is so prevalent that every year many new diets and diet books are introduced. However, we and our children are in serious lifestyle modes that are robbing us of healthy living.

In the fitness classes I teach and lead, I experience students who exercise hard, but must be eating many more calories than they need. They are getting heavier by the day. They see that I am slim and say to me, “You don’t have to worry. You are naturally skinny.” Not so. I not only exercise daily, I watch carefully what I eat and don’t eat.

I was lucky to have a mother whose mantra was, “We are what we eat.” She prepared lots of vegetables and fruit dishes – no fried foods or foods laden with gravy or rich sauces. Yes, on special occasions, she baked the best pies I have ever tasted. We never had chips or soda pop in the house and ice cream only once in awhile.

My first year in college, I started gaining weight from eating the starchy foods and hitting the snack bar regularly. And, fortunately, I woke up and started to watch what I ate. I learned it is not always easy to control one’s eating, so I know how hard it can be. I also know how wonderful and energetic I feel. It is worth it.

Of course, I found many, many excellent quotations that I hope will encourage you and your healthy eating habits:

• “And I believe that the best buy in public health today must be a combination of regular physical exercise and a healthy diet.”- Julie Bishop, Australian politician
• “Hope is a very thin diet.” - Thomas Shadwell, English dramatist
• “I always recommend a sensible diet, including lots of carbohydrates and avoiding too much fat. Dancers don't need different fuel from other people - they just need more of it because they use more energy.” - Deborah Bull, British dancer
• “I am now in that happy comfortable state that I do not hesitate to indulge in any fancy in regard to diet, but watch the consequences, and do not continue any course which adds to weight or bulk and consequent discomfort.” - William Banting, English celebrity
• “Look at the average American diet: ice cream, butter, cheese, whole milk, all this fat. People don't realize how much of this stuff you get by the end of the day. High blood pressure is from all this high-fat eating .” - Jack LaLanne, American athlete
• “What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease.” - Alexander Pope, English poet

And, I have to share a few with a twist of humor:

• “Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.” - Jim Davis, American cartoonist
• “In the course of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet.” - Winston Churchill, British statesman
• “I told my doctor I get very tired when I go on a diet, so he gave me pep pills. Know what happened? I ate faster.” - Joe E. Lewis, American comedian and singer
• “The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day you're off it.” - Jackie Gleason, American actor

And a couple to remember and use:

“The circuit training program along with a healthy clean diet is the way to excellent results.” - Lee Haney, American athlete

“My diet is mostly chicken and fish. I make sure I get a lot of vegetables, a lot of fruit. I am a big fruit man, I am a vegetable man anyway. And I also get a lot of rest. That's the key I may be up early, but I'm in bed early too.” - Magic Johnson, American athlete

So, there you have it. Take your time and persevere. You will be glad you did!

Curious about Adversity: Is It True that It Will Make Us Stronger? How Do You Handle It?

“Your greatest successes almost invariably come one step beyond your greatest failures, when everything inside you says quit. Think of failures in terms of how you can make them successes.”- Brian Tracy, American writer

Herodotus, the Greek philosopher, said, “Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have lain dormant in its absence.”

If you are paying attention to newspapers, radio, TV, and the people you know and love, you are aware that we are facing more adversity than usual. That could be considered negative news, but I have good news for you. Adversity is a gift that can and will turn your life around if you embrace it and derive the many benefits it offers.

Yes, benefits! Here are a few:

• “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.” - Napoleon Hill, American writer and businessman
• “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” - William A. Ward, American educator
• “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”- Malcolm X, American activist
• “There is no education like adversity.” - Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman
• “Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.” - Zig Ziglar, American motivator and writer
• “Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” W. Clement Stone, American businessman

Just like so many others experienced, this year brought me more of life’s adversity than I usually encounter. Sometimes I felt as though I was being tested. My business suffered cash flow challenges, my car was stolen twice, and my computer and computer programs decided it was time to see how much technical adversity I could handle and overcome.

I found many suggestions for dealing with adversity in the quotations I found:

• “In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.” - Lee Iacocca, American businessman
• “Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: 'It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear adversity.’” - James Keller, British writer
• “You'll never find a better sparring partner than adversity.” - Golda Meir, Israeli leader
• “I contend that not only can you laugh at adversity, but it is essential to do so if you are to deal with setbacks without defeat.” - Allen Klein, American businessman
• “In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time.” - Robert Collier, American businessman
• “Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet

And two gems that I want you to take with you:

“Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with.” - Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher

“Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” - Lou Holtz, American coach

I challenge you to welcome any adversity with open arms. Do let me know how it has changed you and made you stronger. I know that’s what it has done for me.