The Statue of Liberty proudly stands in New York Harbor as a beacon of hope. Even the title of the statue, “Liberty Enlightening the World” depicts freedom. Look at her carefully. We pay so much attention to the way we dress and the way we wear our hair, yet this symbol of inspiration barely affords a second glance by Americans.
Why should you care? What does a statue mean to your current life and economic situation? Regardless of your political views, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have more opportunity, more freedom and more income per citizen than any other nation in the world.
If your heart is heavy and your bank account is light, it is time to reverse the weight. There is hope and there is help. Read these words and think about your blessings and potential instead of your possible lack.
Madame Liberty wears a stola, a radiant crown and sandals. She tramples a broken chain under her feet. She stretches her right arm high in the air as she hoists her torch high in the air. Madame Liberty's welcome to visitors and immigrants symbolizes freedom and hope for a better future in a new country. America’s forefathers founded our very nation on the principles of liberty and freedom; they stepped up to this mission at the very peril of their own lives and fortunes.
Read the inscription,
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
When we see the starvation, lack of clean water, and lack of medical attention in most third world countries, we cringe. When we turn on the faucet and see the gush of abundant clean water, do we feel grateful or take it for granted?
Not enough money right now? We can get a second job, start a home based business, and find a way to be more valuable at our current job to earn a raise.
Get a second job. No one said it had to be a glamour job. Look at your options. Your second job may be on a grounds crew at a golf course, landscaping or construction crew. Yes, it is physical work but it may also be on weekends when you are not working your current job. Food service places frequently need additional help. This does not have to be a long term solution but it may ease your short term financial crunch.
Home Based Businesses. Home based businesses abound and can be started for an extremely small investment. Maybe you produce crafts or bake something wonderful which could be sold at a farmers market or roadside stand. Perhaps you are talented at woodworking or as a handyman. Home based opportunities are everywhere when you look openly for them and are willing to work.
Improve your current job. Where do you have abilities which would benefit the company? Help organize the storeroom, improve efficiency on a paperwork task, or assist co-workers to improve the overall function of your department. Talk to your supervisor. Ask where you could contribute extra effort to improve your department or even another department in the company.
The key to any of these actions is to not only instigate new ideas and effort but also follow through. Starting something and not following through is worse than not starting.
Be thankful that we have the freedom to take action to make our lives better. Our forefathers paid a dear price for our freedom. Immigrants suffered horrid conditions in order to experience the freedom so openly available to us.
I know first hand what it feels like to be so broke that I had to look up to see the financial basement floor. Swallowing pride and working hard to achieve is worth the effort. Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. Let me help you brainstorm ideas to improve your life.
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Always Be Grateful
Today is my 65th birthday and I still feel young in spirit. I am as excited today for my present and my future as I was in my 20s. Part of that is gratitude. I am so grateful for my life. Blessings and challenges abound every day. Opportunities to grow into the person I choose for my friends, children and grandchildren to remember present themselves every day.
When I was a little 20 year old college senior, one of my professors said, “Elaine, you can have 10 years experience or one year’s experience 10 times.” Few statements in my lifetime have struck me with the force of this one. Ebino Topsy affirmed that, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to relive it.” How many people have you known who keep repeating the same types of errors? Bring it closer to home, how many times have we repeated our own mistakes?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. It has been said that if you want to double your rate of success, then double your rate of failure. That is true, IF you learn from each one of those failures and determine how to achieve a better result next time.
I’ve failed many times in my life, but in each case I chose to learn from my mistakes. I am grateful for all of my experiences because they each taught me a valuable lesson. If I did not learn the lesson completely, I inevitably had to dig a bit deeper for the lesson and solution. I learned 2 very important lessons from failure: learn from your mistakes and keep striving for better results.
David Foster, acclaimed as the “Hit Man” because of the number of hits he has produced in the music industry, is a 15 time Grammy winner. In David’s article in Success magazine, September 2009, he openly admits that he also has failures. He has written 1,000 songs and has 100 hits.
Giving up or deciding that something does not work or does not work for you just because you had a tough day or two goes again the laws of success. Most people in the network marketing industry will tell you that they had a learning curve before they achieved success. I know I did. My success came because I chose a company with integrity, the right products for the time, the right compensation plan and the right system to market.
Even more than all of that, I chose to be the constant diligent student and learn my lessons from successful people before me. Learning is fun to me. I’m grateful for all of my experiences. Each and every one of them has taught me something valuable.
I am grateful I have the ability and willingness to step out of my comfort zone and learn. I am grateful I have the opportunity to learn. I am also grateful that I am willing to stick with a task until I do learn and prosper. How about you? Are you ready to learn and grow?
When I was a little 20 year old college senior, one of my professors said, “Elaine, you can have 10 years experience or one year’s experience 10 times.” Few statements in my lifetime have struck me with the force of this one. Ebino Topsy affirmed that, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to relive it.” How many people have you known who keep repeating the same types of errors? Bring it closer to home, how many times have we repeated our own mistakes?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. It has been said that if you want to double your rate of success, then double your rate of failure. That is true, IF you learn from each one of those failures and determine how to achieve a better result next time.
I’ve failed many times in my life, but in each case I chose to learn from my mistakes. I am grateful for all of my experiences because they each taught me a valuable lesson. If I did not learn the lesson completely, I inevitably had to dig a bit deeper for the lesson and solution. I learned 2 very important lessons from failure: learn from your mistakes and keep striving for better results.
David Foster, acclaimed as the “Hit Man” because of the number of hits he has produced in the music industry, is a 15 time Grammy winner. In David’s article in Success magazine, September 2009, he openly admits that he also has failures. He has written 1,000 songs and has 100 hits.
Giving up or deciding that something does not work or does not work for you just because you had a tough day or two goes again the laws of success. Most people in the network marketing industry will tell you that they had a learning curve before they achieved success. I know I did. My success came because I chose a company with integrity, the right products for the time, the right compensation plan and the right system to market.
Even more than all of that, I chose to be the constant diligent student and learn my lessons from successful people before me. Learning is fun to me. I’m grateful for all of my experiences. Each and every one of them has taught me something valuable.
I am grateful I have the ability and willingness to step out of my comfort zone and learn. I am grateful I have the opportunity to learn. I am also grateful that I am willing to stick with a task until I do learn and prosper. How about you? Are you ready to learn and grow?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Always Be Grateful – Fear Holds Back Prosperity
Fear is false expectations appearing real. We all deal with fear on some level at various times in our lives. To say that you have never ever been afraid of anything means you are either one in ten million or perhaps not totally honest with yourself.
We all experience fear. An interesting statistic is that most people fear public speaking even more than death. Since joining Toastmasters, I find that I absolutely love public speaking. For me, that is not a fear.
Whether it is a fear of not being loved, or not being successful or any of a myriad of other things, every one has fears. In this economy, it is the fear of not having enough money to pay the bills for over 80% of Americans. That is a very real fear for far too many people right now.
The problem is that focusing on the negative and the fear only brings more of the negative. You will always get more of whatever you give your time, energy and focus. Shift your thoughts and feelings to concentrate on your desired outcome. Is it difficult? At first it may be; however, what do you truly desire? If you want more lack and desperation, then go ahead and focus on that. I believe you want and deserve prosperity.
I do not believe for a moment that a small child says, “I want to grow up to be poor and never have enough to eat.” Of course not. That thought starts slipping into our conscious mind as an adult. Then we focus on the lack of money to pay the bills and the lack expands.
Am I saying that all we have to do is think about money flowing in and it will flow into our bank accounts? No. Thinking positive thoughts about abundance and being grateful for what we do have will trigger our subconscious mind to create ways we can either earn more money or make wiser use of the money we do have.
Fear is never a positive reaction unless you are being chased by a tiger or some such valid experience. Concentrate on the positive things you desire to have in your life and be open to receiving them. Open your mind to receiving solutions rather than focusing totally on the problem.
Ok skeptics; is it at least worth consideration? Stuff the fear in a corner and tell it to shut up and go away so you can put all of your mental energy into positive solutions.
Sarah Ban Breathnach ~ Simple Abundance
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
No excuses
There are so many people who inspire me in my life. One of the most significant in my life was Earl McCray, my grade school and high school music teacher. He believed in me when I did not know how to believe in myself.
Just a bit of background which puts that in perspective. I say this from the heart in order to inspire others to know they can not only survive difficult situations but actually thrive.
Picture me as a little 3 year old girl with long dark brown finger curls spiraling down my back. I am standing in the Kansas sunshine out by the barn on the farm with my daddy. He looks down at me and says, you’re just a d_____ girl. I didn’t want you. I wanted a boy who would be worth something.” You can imagine the shock and hurt.
I ran to my mother in tears. She confirmed that they were both disappointed and that they had wanted another boy.
Something inside me, maybe my stubborn pride, made a decision that day. I decided to make them proud of me. Instead of rebelling, I became the ideal obedient child. I n the days and years to follow, I studied the piano; I read every book within my grasp. I learned the c melody saxophone, then the e flat alto saxophone and then the b flat clarinet. I sang in all of the small groups and choirs. I participated in all of the school plays. In order to participate in any extra activities after school, I stayed in town with an unmarried aunt. Actually, staying with Aunt Mara was fun. I enjoyed the experience very much.
My music offered me not only creative expression but also an opportunity to be around people who valued me. Earl McCray constantly encouraged me to challenge myself. His most significant encouragement came at the time of my high school graduation. Earl told me to apply for scholarships to the University of Kansas. I did.
Thanks to Earl and Dale Lemon, my high school principal, I received that coveted scholarship. Imagine my pride as I brought home the paperwork and announced that I would be attending the University of Kansas. Since I was only 17, I needed my parent’s signature. My father refused to sign declaring that I was a d____ girl and did not deserve a college education. So much for a scholarship to KU.
By now, I was even more determined to earn a college degree. Long story short, I found a ride to Kansas State College of Pittsburg and ran away from home.
No money, no job and no place to live but an iron will determination to succeed. Was it easy? Absolutely not. I somehow managed to get a place to live in the dorm, old Willard Hall. I found a job at the college. I lived on grilled cheese sandwiches and extra pickles at the College Inn Café. Yes, I know that was horrible nutrition but it was the cheapest item on the menu.
It was during my time at Pittsburg State College that I met my second mentor, Dr. Bill Reilly. Doc, as we affection ally called him, was not only a law professor but an absolutely brilliant man. I had the privilege of being his student secretary for 2 years. His vocabulary was so extensive that I literally sat with the dictionary to transcribe his dictation. He was such an inspiration in so many ways. In fact, we remained in touch until 3 years ago when he passed away.
My mentors, my stubborn determination and the grace of God contributed to my graduation from college in 3 years with a double major, double minor, and a Superior Student designation. No, my parents did not attend my high school or college graduation; however, Doc Reilly gave me a graduation party with all of my favorite professors and special friends. He even gave me long stem roses from his personal rose garden.
Roadblocks, challenges and disappointment can either crush us or make us stronger. I chose to grow and achieve despite the circumstances. Hmmmm, maybe my strength actually grew from the challenges even more than it would have with an easier path.
I’m grateful for everything in my past. Yes, grateful. It shaped me to become the strong leader and successful entrepreneur which I am today.
Just a bit of background which puts that in perspective. I say this from the heart in order to inspire others to know they can not only survive difficult situations but actually thrive.
Picture me as a little 3 year old girl with long dark brown finger curls spiraling down my back. I am standing in the Kansas sunshine out by the barn on the farm with my daddy. He looks down at me and says, you’re just a d_____ girl. I didn’t want you. I wanted a boy who would be worth something.” You can imagine the shock and hurt.
I ran to my mother in tears. She confirmed that they were both disappointed and that they had wanted another boy.
Something inside me, maybe my stubborn pride, made a decision that day. I decided to make them proud of me. Instead of rebelling, I became the ideal obedient child. I n the days and years to follow, I studied the piano; I read every book within my grasp. I learned the c melody saxophone, then the e flat alto saxophone and then the b flat clarinet. I sang in all of the small groups and choirs. I participated in all of the school plays. In order to participate in any extra activities after school, I stayed in town with an unmarried aunt. Actually, staying with Aunt Mara was fun. I enjoyed the experience very much.
My music offered me not only creative expression but also an opportunity to be around people who valued me. Earl McCray constantly encouraged me to challenge myself. His most significant encouragement came at the time of my high school graduation. Earl told me to apply for scholarships to the University of Kansas. I did.
Thanks to Earl and Dale Lemon, my high school principal, I received that coveted scholarship. Imagine my pride as I brought home the paperwork and announced that I would be attending the University of Kansas. Since I was only 17, I needed my parent’s signature. My father refused to sign declaring that I was a d____ girl and did not deserve a college education. So much for a scholarship to KU.
By now, I was even more determined to earn a college degree. Long story short, I found a ride to Kansas State College of Pittsburg and ran away from home.
No money, no job and no place to live but an iron will determination to succeed. Was it easy? Absolutely not. I somehow managed to get a place to live in the dorm, old Willard Hall. I found a job at the college. I lived on grilled cheese sandwiches and extra pickles at the College Inn Café. Yes, I know that was horrible nutrition but it was the cheapest item on the menu.
It was during my time at Pittsburg State College that I met my second mentor, Dr. Bill Reilly. Doc, as we affection ally called him, was not only a law professor but an absolutely brilliant man. I had the privilege of being his student secretary for 2 years. His vocabulary was so extensive that I literally sat with the dictionary to transcribe his dictation. He was such an inspiration in so many ways. In fact, we remained in touch until 3 years ago when he passed away.
My mentors, my stubborn determination and the grace of God contributed to my graduation from college in 3 years with a double major, double minor, and a Superior Student designation. No, my parents did not attend my high school or college graduation; however, Doc Reilly gave me a graduation party with all of my favorite professors and special friends. He even gave me long stem roses from his personal rose garden.
Roadblocks, challenges and disappointment can either crush us or make us stronger. I chose to grow and achieve despite the circumstances. Hmmmm, maybe my strength actually grew from the challenges even more than it would have with an easier path.
I’m grateful for everything in my past. Yes, grateful. It shaped me to become the strong leader and successful entrepreneur which I am today.
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