Inspirational Quotes

Inspirational quotes can be energizing, encouraging, and motivating.  I love quotes that give me the feeling that there is nothing I cannot do if I put my mind to it. Although there are literally thousands of quotes on a variety of topics, below are just a few of my favorites.  Enjoy!

“Nothing is impossible to those who do not have to do it.”
- Unknown

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
- Hellen Keller

“Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.”
- Josh Billings

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
- Will Rogers

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us”
- Helen Keller

“We don’t see things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.”
- Talmund

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
- Thomas A Edison

“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting”
- Elizabeth Bibesco

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”
- B. Olatunji

“When you get to the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
- Franklin D Roosevelt

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.”
- Zig Ziglar

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
- Winston Churchill

“Champions are not made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
- Muhammad Ali

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
- Dale Carnegie

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
- Christopher Reeve

“Hard work spotlights the character of people. Some turn up their sleeves. Some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
- Sam Ewing

“There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there’s virtually no competition.”
- Steven J Ross

“Many of life’s failures are people who had not realized how close they were to success when they gave up.”
- Thomas A Edison

“Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
- Peter Drucker

“Do you know what happens when you give a procrastinator a good idea? Nothing!”
- Donald Gardner

“Success is what you attract by the person you become.”
- Jim Rohn

“You have to ‘Be’ before you can ‘Do’ and ‘Do’ before you can ‘Have’.
- Zig Ziglar

“Formal education will make you a living. Self education will make you a fortune.”
- Jim Rohn

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
- Mahatma Gandhi

“The future has several names. For the weak, it is the impossible. For the fainthearted, it is the unknown. For the thoughtful and valiant, it is the ideal.”
- Victor Hugo

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
- Waldo Emerson

“Use what talents you possess, the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
- Henry van Dyke

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”
- Bertrand Russell

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.”
- Harold B Melchart

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.”
- Benjamin Mays

“Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom.”
- Earl Shoaf

"When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present....we experience heaven on earth."
- Sarah Breathnack

“Make one positive change in your life and it will change it forever.”
- Author Unknown

What is your favorite inspirational or motivational quote?

Empty the Garbage Can

"People respond when you tell them there is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind."
Joel Osteen

Are you concerned for what the future holds?  With the current political landscape, are you uncertain about your  life and what the lives of your family will look like in 2011?  War, high fuel and food prices, crime, a poor education system, lack of quality jobs, and all of the issues that divide us as a nation, do you feel like you cannot get your bearings.  Our elected leaders state that they have our best interest at heart, but seem to be focused on things that support their individual ideology.  As you look forward are you tempted to look over your shoulder only to see that life is gaining on you?  Every day seems like a fight to survive.

With all of the negativity that is being transmitted over the air waves, it is amazing that we don’t lock ourselves in our homes.  There are so many commercials about how to overcome tax debt, how to consolidate your debt, how to file bankruptcy, not to mention all the pharmaceutical companies advertising medications with a litany of side effects?   The news, both network and cable, continues to feed us a steady diet of confusing information and spin, that leaves us not knowing if we are coming or going.

In order to move forward into 2011, most of us need to empty the garbage can of all of the negative and harmful thoughts that will keep us from moving into 2011 with hope and positivity.  Any negativity, that may have affected your life including relationships need to be put in the garbage can.  I know it is easier said than done, but in order for you to accomplish the things you want to accomplish you need to put it behind you.  How can you focus on moving forward if you cannot rid yourself of the past?  Take the learning from your mistakes and use it as fuel for having a happy and prosperous new year.

How?

Set goals for yourself.  Forget about making New Year’s resolutions.  Many people, who make resolutions, never keep them. Get clear about the goals you want to achieve.  No more than two or three goals that you believe will have the greatest impact in your life.

Resolve conflicts with people who you feel may have done you wrong.  It may take having to say you are sorry or forgiving them for what they may have done to you.  Not doing so can lead only to bitterness and slowing down your growth.

Re-brand yourself.  Ask yourself the questions:  Who am I?  Who do I want to become?  How do I want the World to perceive me?  Once these questions are answered, put a plan into place that will help you become the person you want to become in 2011.

Commit to focus on only those things you can control.  You cannot control the economy or how others think.  However, you can control how you respond to life’s challenges.

2011 can represent a year of opportunity or it can reprise the failure and excuses of 2010.

Are you prepared to empty your garbage can?

Miracles Still Happen

“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!” is how the conversation started. While on the phone with a business partner we were talking about the holidays. We spoke about being grateful even though many are having a tough time. I shared with her the importance of hanging on to hope, and that great things can happen as a result.

As soon as I said that to her, she stated that a miracle had happened to her the day before. With finances tight, she stated that she was wondering what she would give her husband for Christmas. During the day she found out that she had won a large flat screen television. The television would now go under the tree for him. The same day she won a $50 gift card that would be given to her daughter. She said, “When you least expect it, a Miracle happens!”

The holiday season represents so many things to people depending on how and what has occurred in their past and what is going on in their present. For some, the season represents lack. For some it reminds them of a loved one no longer here. For some it leads to depression, fatigue and stress. A haze hangs over them like fog. They feel cold inside. Seeing all of the people around them, laughing, shopping and enjoying life with family and friends can leave them feeling jealous, unloved, stressed out and hopeless.

If that is you, I want to introduce you to a friend that can bring you peace and joy unspeakable, His name is Jesus the Christ. There is only one who can fill the void in your soul. He can satisfy every longing and every need. His birth is a gift from the Father above. Need a miracle? Call on Him and He will provide the miracle of Joy and Peace that transcends all understanding.

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and its commercialization, step back out of the noise long enough to get in touch with the one who is the reason for this season, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

During this season, have you experienced a miracle or unexpected blessing? Share it with me.

The Pursuit of Happiness

“The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.”  Author Unknown

How many of you are enjoying life?

Are you happy?

I can imagine that before you answer these questions many of you are thinking about your life and weighing the good and bad things going on in your life.  If you have money and a job, maybe you are enjoying life.  If you have lost your job, maybe life is not good.  The holidays often stress people out which can lead to depression.  While speaking to a group of individuals this past week I asked them the same question.  Out of 70-80 people only 10 raised their hands.  Wow! Only 10 said they were enjoying life.

This economy has taken its toll on many lives.  The loss of jobs, homes, retirement nest eggs, and its impact on families leaves so many afraid, fearful and angry.  The threat of increased taxation, fuel and food prices only further the feelings of uncertainty.  How can one enjoy life and be happy with all of the cares of this life swirling around them?

Keeping life in perspective is the key to happiness and joy.  I find that when I want to grumble and complain, simply thinking about the positive things that are going on in my life resets my thinking.  My faith in God is the number one key for me living an abundant life.  My happiness and joy is not predicated on my circumstances, but my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

If you are one of the ones worrying and anxious, I have one question for you, how is it working for you?  Place your trust in the only One who is able to bring lasting joy and happiness.

What does really being thankful mean?

What has this tough economy taught you?  Has it revealed your lack or your wealth?

Every day we are given blessings that we either appreciate or take for granted.  So many of us forget the simple things in life that we can and should be grateful for.  Why is it that we focus on the negative circumstances?  Life is not working out the way we planned.  We do not have the home we want, the car we want, or the job we want.  The blessings we receive are jewels, which can make up a rich and impactful life if they are safeguarded.

Recently, my wife shared a few of the things she is thankful for:

• Cool morning breezes
• Patriots who stand for my country
• The song she played, just for me, opening her heart-window so I could peek inside and see hope
• Ancient Promises with no expiration date
• Having to tell Drummer Boy three times that it's too late for the loud music that spills out of him--it just keeps spilling :)
• Catching up with Mom & Daddy, sharing coffee a country apart
• 50 years of the most beautiful marriage I've ever seen & for Mom & Daddy who did it with You in the middle
• Mom's stories of "their" wild horses, jumping fences and galloping across the hills of home

They are very simple experiences that warm her heart and spirit and take her to a place that the negative circumstances cannot touch.  Expressing gratitude and thankfulness takes your mind to a place of possibility.

I know it can be very difficult at times to express thanksgiving for the things we have in our lives.  Most focus on the one bad thing in their life and forget the 10 good things for which they should be thankful.

My wife shared with me what someone said to her.  The person expressed her thankfulness for all the bad things that did not happen that could have happened to her that day.  Now that’s perspective.  At my last speaking engagement several of the attendees talked about worrying about bad things that could happen.  The question should be what if they don’t happen?

Think about all of the things you have to be thankful for and write them down.  Read them often and continue to add to them.  Expressing thankfulness will transform your thinking about life and those whom you care about.

How Did I Get Here and How Do I Get Out?

Life is to be lived deliberately, not by chance

You have gone through high school, maybe college.  You entered the workforce and worked in a job for 15 to 20 years.   Recently, you were laid off and now you are faced with the prospect of finding a new job.  The job market is tight and finding a job is not what it used to be.  (Remember the days of looking in the newspaper classified section?)

Yes, you still need a resume, but now a resume does not get you a job, just an interview.  Depending on the position you are looking for, you now need to be Linkedin, signed up on Monster, Yahoo, Career Builder and the numerous other job boards if you ever hope to land a new position.  Oh, don’t forget you need to start networking and attending job fairs.  Looking for a job is now your job.

Each day you sit in front of a computer for hours looking at the various job postings and you have sent out what is now hundreds of emails into the space of the internet. Now you wait to hear back, and after weeks you still have not received as much as an email note from a perspective employer.  Frustration begins to set in and fear soon follows.  Will I be able to pay my bills, will I ever get another job?  Will I lose my home or my car?  All of these questions fuel anxiety and hopelessness.  Many of the unemployed have given up and have fallen off the radar.  If you are one of the many thousands of unemployed who have given up, I want to encourage you to get back into the flow of life.

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How did I get here and how do I get out?”  I know I have.  Over the past several years I have implemented the following powerful steps that have helped me during the trying times in my life.  I know they can have the same impact in your life and help you to get back into the flow of really living life to the full:

• Live life deliberately.  Each day have things you want to accomplish.  Life should not happen by accident.
• Set realistic goals and stay focused on accomplishing them.  Write them down, you have to see  it to achieve it.
• Be grateful for the good things in your life – Don’t let one bad thing outshine the 10 good  things that happen in your life. 
• Serve others and not yourself.  Helping others takes life to a different level of living.
• Enjoy Life!!  Don’t let circumstances dictate your happiness!
• Motivate yourself, (if you could do one thing each day that would motivate you to achieve your  dreams and goals what would it be?). 
• Think about what it is you want and go for it.
• The most important step to living a powerful life and having a real and sustainable breakthrough is having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

Put these key steps to practice for 30 straight days and you will find that your life and mind will be transformed.  Remember that you are in charge of your thinking--what you think about yourself--and how you respond to life’s challenges.

It's a dog eat dog world

“It’s a dog eat dog world out there and I am wearing milk bone underwear” - Norm from Cheers

Do you feel like Norm?  That the world is out to get you, that life is not fair?  Well I want to encourage you today to think differently about the world you live in. We may not be able to change the things that go on in our world, but we can be a change in the world we live in.  You may not be able to change whether good or bad will happen to you.  You may not be able to change the way people respond to you or what they may do to you.  But one thing you can control is how you respond to what happens.  So many of us let life happen to us instead of letting the world feel the weight of who we are.

Each of us was born in a home that either encouraged us to live a life of possibility and to take advantage of the opportunities that exist or to settle for a life of mediocrity.  Our world view is shaped by our experiences and beliefs about ourselves and the world we live in.

Recently, I gave a talk about “How to stay positive during your job search.”  During my talk one of the participants raised their hand for what I thought would be a question.  However, they proceeded to express their frustration with an interview with a recruiter that did not go the way they had hoped.  As a result, her whole day was ruined.  She came with a chip on her shoulder, which she dared anyone to knock off.  During this troubling economy many job seekers feel like the world is against them, that the system is not fair.  She was no different.  We talked about her skills and her experience and that there was a place for her.  I shared with her that she had a choice to make.  She could either choose to believe that she was worthless and to give up, or she could choose to take the positive aspects from the experience and use them as a learning for the future.  The jury is still out on this one.

When the world seems to be closing in on you, push back with a positive attitude.  You have the strength to choose a better way!

Jewel of Great Price

During one of my speaking engagements I was talking to the audience reminding them that they are valuable, and that their life matters.  There was a young lady in the group with tears in her eyes who said, “No one thinks I am valuable.”  As she continued to fight back the tears I tried to remind her again that she was indeed valuable and that she matters.  I could see that she continued to struggle with the concept.  It amazes me how many of us allow what others think to affect our view of ourselves and how we live our lives.


If you do not think you are valuable, I want to challenge you to have a different view of who you are and what you can become.  


Believe in yourself — believe in your abilities.  We all have different gifts and talents that can positively impact the lives of the people we come in contact with.  


Accept yourself — accept who you are today.  This does not mean that you don’t improve on the things that can help you be a better person, but accept who you are today and who you can become.
Give of yourself — giving of yourself can bring so much joy and satisfaction in knowing you are helping someone other than yourself.  Simple acts of kindness and service enhance the lives of those we serve.


As I continue to share the message that each one of us are valuable in the eyes of God our Father.  We are “fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 We were all carefully knit together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  So many people struggle with this fact.  They get lost in what people think of them or how they view themselves.  People make certain judgments on what they see in us even when they don’t know us. 


What gives you value?  The fact that you are alive and have something to contribute to this world gives you value.  You do not have to be an intellectual giant or a great orator to have value.  Simply being who God created you to be gives you value.  

An Attitude of Gratitude

Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert


Zig Ziglar—how many of you know the name? Zig Ziglar is known by many to be one of the greatest speakers of all time. Many who knew him said that what made him great was his enthusiasm for life and his positive attitude. Those close to him said that they never saw him in a bad mood. Most, when they hear that, would say that they do not believe anyone could live life and never be in a bad mood or have a poor attitude.


Someone asked him his secret and it was quite simple. He said he possessed an “Attitude of Gratitude.” Each day, when challenged to give in to a poor attitude, he simply looked around and gave thanks for all the good things in his life, (his family, the rain, his health and much, much more). As a child his father died when he was 6 and he grew up in poverty. His mother taught him the value of hard work which carried him through life.


We all can learn a lot from Zig Ziglar and people like him. Living a life of gratitude positions the mind for success and happiness. When you are focused on negative circumstances and pining for the things that you don’t have, it can be torment. Not having what you think you need and not being able to have it will leave you in a constant state of discontentment.


Zig Ziglar filled his heart and mind each day with an “Attitude of Gratitude” and he was able to power through life in a constant state of joy. The impact of his life and who he was is still felt today.


When your happiness and joy is not based on your circumstances you can live a victorious life!

A New Reality

“There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened”. ~ Unknown

Which one are you?

Every day we hear conflicting news reports that say the economy is turning around or it is going to get worse before it gets better.  So many of us are sitting on the sidelines in a holding pattern waiting to see exactly what is going to happen.

I want to challenge you to be one of those who make things happen.  You have skills and experiences that you can call on to change your life for the better.  This means that you may have to take chances and risk failure.  Real meaningful change will involve taking risks, but with the risks come big rewards.  The key is perseverance.

You have to trust yourself and all that you have learned.  If you want to be successful you will need to take stock of who you are.  Assess your strengths and your weaknesses.  If you do not know who you are, you will have no clue on where and how you will fit in this world.

When I lost my job, I found that one of my strengths was my ability to communicate on a personal level.  I was given many opportunities to speak to diverse groups all over the Bay Area.  As a result, I started my own company which allows me to speak to men, women and young people about finding their purpose in life and how to live life to the Full.

If you are one of the people who do not know what is happening, I want to challenge you to educate yourself on what is going on in your community and the world you live in.   I want you to think about how you can play a significant role in changing the lives of others and thereby change your own life.

The economy is what it is.  You cannot change it. But you can change how you respond to it.  Let today be the day, that you make the one positive choice that will change your life forever!

It's All In How You Look At It

Two men John and Ken had been working for a company for over 15 years.  They both were well thought of employees and dedicated to the organization.  Over the past several months they had seen several employees laid off.  However, due to the length of their employment and the quality of their work they were not concerned about losing their jobs.  It was a Friday afternoon and they were looking forward to spending the weekend with their families.

It was about two o’clock in the in the afternoon and each of them were called into their manager’s office.  The manager explained that due to a poor economy the company needed to make some tough choices.  One of the choices was to lay them off.

When John heard the news he could not believe it.  Something cut him deep down inside.  For a brief moment he did not know how to feel or what to say.  There was only shock and a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He asked, “Why me?  Was my work not satisfactory?”  His manager reassured him that it was not his work, and that the company would be offering a two month severance package along with transition assistance.  He restated that the reason was purely financial.

John wrestled with how he would break the news to his wife.  With kids in college and very little savings John was overwhelmed with the thought of what he would do.  John quickly crawled into a shell of despair.  He started to question his worth and whether he would ever find another job in this economy.  Paralyzed with fear of the unknown, John was stuck.

Ken on the other hand took the news differently.  Ken was definitely disappointed in the loss of his job; after all he loved his work and the people he worked with.  However, understanding that the loss of his job was not due to his inability to do the work or the quality of it, he looked at the loss as an opportunity.  He had always thought about opening up his own small business and now this gave him the opportunity to investigate it further.  After telling his wife and family about being laid off Ken put a plan of action in place to position himself for his next opportunity.  He figured he had two months of severance and unemployment insurance to get his business up and running.

After four months Ken opened his new business, and although it is not making money, he believes it is only a matter of time.

Two men in the same position, one chooses to give in to fear and anxiety and the other looks at the situation as an opportunity.  To be clear, John is not wrong to feel the way he feels.  It is said that losing a job is like a death in the family.  There is a grief cycle that one goes through.  The key to coming out of it is not to lose faith in your abilities and experience.  When John and Ken lost their jobs the company did not keep their skills and their experience, they took their skills with them.

Remember your accomplishments and your successes.  Trust yourself and focus on the goals you have set for your future.

It‘s important to remember that all of us will be faced with significant challenges in life.  In order to navigate through them it will take fortitude and perseverance.

You have the ability to create a new reality for your life.  It is not just about your ability to get the next job.  It is about positively impacting the lives of those you come in contact with on the road to your next job opportunity.

Remember:  It’s all in how you look at it.

A Super Attitude

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.
~Brian Tracy


The Power of a positive attitude is without a doubt one of the greatest assets one can possess. Christopher Reeves, (Superman) lived nine years after being paralyzed from a horseback riding accident. There is no doubt that one primary factor for his longevity after the accident was his positive attitude. He continued to act and speak all across the country in spite of his being confined to a wheel chair. He could have easily given up but with the support of his wife and family he pressed on. What an inspiration to those who have suffered a serious debilitating accident.


Carol Ryff, a psychology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says: "There is a science that is emerging that says a positive attitude isn't just a state of mind," she says. "It also has linkages to what's going on in the brain and in the body."


The power of a positive attitude can have a dramatic impact on the people you live and work with. A positive attitude can change the course of your home, company and your community. All human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. What the mind seeks, it usually finds.


What part of your life could you change with a different attitude?

A New Direction

After some consideration, I have decided to change the name of my blog from the Altitude of Attitude to A Powerful Day! For years now much of my correspondence has ended with “Have a Powerful Day!” A Powerful Day is more reflective of how I live my life, and how I encourage others to live theirs with a positive attitude, energy, passion and power!

A Powerful Day will focus on . . .

Your power to change your attitude

Your power to help others be successful

Your power to live a life that can change your family, neighborhood, city, state, country and the world

A Powerful Day

It is my hope that you will come along for the ride and find out that in spite of everything that is going on in the world today, both good and bad, you can experience a life of power!

Hang on tight and enjoy the ride!

Have a Powerful Day!

"Don't Believe Everything You Think"

"When things are roughest, and life seems the toughest, it is easy to lose hope, to lose confidence in ourselves, as well as to lose self esteem, self love and our sense of self worth." Unknown

I was speaking to a group of job seekers about how they felt during their job search? From the day they received their “pink slip” till now, most have spent hundreds of hours completing applications, sending resumes, networking, and going on interviews with little to show for the exercise. The impact of their job loss has been dramatic. Loss of self-worth, not feeling good enough, fear of the unknown and high anxiety leaves many feeling hopeless. My last post dealt with this same issue and I am writing about it again because next to the economy, joblessness is high on the list of most American's concerns.

It is very easy to allow negative thinking to imprison your mind. It will tell you things about yourself that are not true. The reality is the economy is not optimal, but that does not mean that opportunities don’t exist for those whose mind is opened to the possibilities of landing their dream job. However, it will take a change in your thinking to redefine what is possible and thereby create a new reality for your life.

That being said, it is crucial that you prime your thinking with positive words and affirmations daily. These words need to be driven deep into your subconscious mind. They become part of you and who you are and want to become.

YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT!

YOU ARE VALUABLE!

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!

Say it loud and say it often. If you do not believe it, no one else will.

What is your favorite affirmation?

 

True Worth

“The longer I live the more I realize the importance of family and friends. We can replace the material things in our lives, but the priceless gift of family and friends can never be replaced. Cherish those who love you and love those who cherish you.” Tony Friday

On The Apprentice season opener there were 12 unemployed individuals who have been off work for over 3 years. One of the contestants lost his business and his marriage. During one of his on camera interviews he stated that due to his unemployment he felt less than a man because he was unable to take care of his family. He asked the question” What good am I?” That question made me extremely sad. Have you ever asked that question?

There are over 30 million Americans who have lost their jobs and are struggling to survive the seemingly never ending down turn in the market. Many have lost their homes, cars, savings, and more importantly their self worth. If you are in this situation you may ask yourself, how do I go on? Is there any hope for the future? Will I ever find work or is this my new reality?

I speak to unemployed individuals virtually every day and try to encourage them to stay focused and positive in their job search and to remind themselves of their past successes and accomplishments. I believe past success fuels future success. You say to yourself, I was successful before, I can be successful again.

There is so much opportunity in the marketplace. The opportunity to redefine what is possible and create for yourself a new reality. Don’t just sit back and let circumstances dictate the rest of your life. You have to seize control. But first it is important to choose the attitude that you are going to embrace for the day. Not just for one day, but every day. A positive attitude allows you to recognize opportunities. If you are in a negative state of mind they will pass you by.

If I had the opportunity to answer the question the contestant raised I would have said his worth is found in more than a job. It is about his life and having value to his children and those who really care about him. Our significance does not come from a job, but in whom God created us to be.

Remember you are significant and your life matters!

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee grandfather told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

~author unknown

While sitting in a coffee shop I had a conversation with a man who told me about his life. He said that he was divorced, with little money left. He proceeded to blame his ex-wife for all of his misfortunes. “She is a control freak; she made me feel less than a man” was his song. As a result, he said that he had a lot of anger and rage built up inside of him. 

He was feeding his inner evil wolf with self-pity, resentment, sorrow, regret, and anger. The evil wolf inside him is ravenous with an insatiable appetite. The battle is raging inside of him and the wolf howls for more.

I began to have a different conversation with him that went something like this: Do you believe you can make a different choice in how you respond? He said yes. I challenged him to focus on his strengths, skills, and his ability to rise above his past and create a new future. I believe I helped him make some headway on turning his attitude around, but only time will tell.

Which wolf are you feeding? I hope it is the good wolf that feeds on joy, peace, kindness and love. When you allow the good things of life to fill your inner being, it is unbelievable how strong and hopeful you will begin to feel. If the wolf inside you is full of negativity, feed the other wolf. 

The choice is yours.

Attitude Is a Choice

“Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it...Attitude is a Choice” Charles Swindoll

For the past 15 years I have been focused on encouraging, inspiring and motivating individuals to face life challenges head on with vigor and with a positive attitude.

My motivation for writing this blog is to inspire and motivate my readers to look at each day and the challenges they may face and to choose an attitude that makes them feel and act like winners.

We all recognize that life is not always going to work out the way we want. We may lose our job, we may receive bad news about our health or the health of a family member. We may lose our homes or have to file for bankruptcy. It is very easy to give into negative attitudes and feelings that sometimes overwhelm us. It may not feel like it is worth the fight.

But each day does have good in it we just have to recognize it; the beauty of flowers, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the smile of a child and the loving look from the one that loves you most.

This blog will reflect my thoughts on my relationship with Christ and the positive impact he has made in my life. I will also endeavor to encourage you with words that will raised your spirits and infuse you with energy so you can give it back to your family, community and the world.

Have a Powerful Day!