Hmmmmm...12-17-12

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger—but recognize the opportunity.” –John F. Kennedy

                                                                                                                                                                            

We are facing any number of crises, both nationally and globally.

First and foremost in our minds today is the national crisis of violence in our schools.  Blame has been placed on everything from gun control to video games.  We've attributed it to lack of faith and loss of family. It seems likely that a variety of conditions have lead to the creation of this perfect societal storm.

On the global front, we are experiencing economic crises, food crises, environmental crises, and energy crises.  What in the world is happening?

Perhaps we are poised for an epic epiphany: one single defining moment when we gain the courage to do things differently. We are doing a lot of talking, and that’s a good start, because there is danger in this type of silence that implies consent.

Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” It’s time for a new world order to restore order to our world, one where kindness and compassion exist and thrive under the Golden Rule.

Do you hear that?  It’s a Golden Opportunity knocking.

Many hands make light work,

Gina J

Hmmmmm...12-10-12

“Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” –Jonathan Lockwood Huie

If you’re holding a grudge, it’s time to put it down.

We construct our own prison of poison when we refuse to forgive. We build the walls with anger, resentment, and hatred, and then commit ourselves to a sentence of solitary confinement with nothing but toxic thoughts to keep us company.

The act of forgiveness frees us from the detrimental effects of hostility and vengeance.  Just by breaking out of this self-made cell of spite, we escape the physical perils of higher blood pressure, elevated symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and increased incidence of alcohol and substance abuse.  Is it worth it to suffer life-threatening symptoms while the person you’re angry with goes scot-free?

Pardoning our perceived persecutors promotes personal peace.  Say that three times fast.  Better yet, do it!

Build bridges,

Gina J  

Hmmmmm...12-03-12

"Most people fail in life not because they aim too high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit."                -Les Brown

Do you believe that you can predict the future? 

The self-fulfilling prophecy is a statement that we tell ourselves that can be either positive or negative.  It can be so powerful that it actually alters our actions, thereby predicting the future for us. 

Your words have tremendous power to create or destroy.  Something as socially acceptable as telling yourself that you hate Mondays can taint your perception of the events of those particular days of the week.  It can be far more pervasive and harmful, however.  If you repeatedly fill your mind with self-imposed limitations, you will live down to your own expectations. 

Success comes in cans, not in can’ts. Listen carefully to the conversations that you have with yourself.  Untie the ‘nots’ in your life—I’m not young enough, not old enough, not smart enough, or good enough. Embrace the possibilities by opening some cans—I can do this.  I can succeed.  I can make a difference.

Raise the roof!  It’s high time to raise the bar.   No one profits from being a Prophet of Doom—bar none.  Stay on target.  Set your sights on a bright future.   

Ready?  Aim.  Fire!

Gina J