Take Action Now

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe

"A year from now you will wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb

In these two quotations, Lamb and Goethe encourage us to take action now! There is no substitute for resolute action, especially when that action begins immediately. Entrepreneurs are action prone, always preferring action to contemplation. Contemplation and reflection have their place but without action there can be no result, no fruit, no accomplishment, and no creation.

Self-mastery

Self-mastery

"The lion who breaks the enemy's ranks is a minor hero compared to the lion who overcomes himself." - Rumi

Rumi, the great Persian poet and mystic understood the importance of self mastery. If we cannot master ourselves we will be unable to accomplish the things we dream of. Self-mastery, like self-discipline, requires that we remember what is most important and keep that as the focus of our attention. Whatever captured and retains our attention determines the course of our lives.

Appreciation and thanks

"This world is fast-moving, constantly changing and all-absorbing -- appreciation and thanks have a way of slowing things down." - Ross Levin

Levin has a simple strategy for achieving mindfulness, appreciate what you have and give thanks. In order to be thankful and appreciative, we have to do two important things: get outside ourselves and pay attention to others around us as well as the scenery of our lives.

Thinking With Purpose

"To begin to think with purpose is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment." ¾ James Allen

Allen was an early writer in the long tradition of positive thinking. He is still a major figure in this field. He understood the importance of thinking with purpose and intentionality. His voice is a serious challenge to those who drift through life while believing that some form of fate controls their destiny.

Your right to be wrong

"Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." - David M. Burns

Dr. Burns understands the importance of freedom from judgment. Too much concern over avoiding mistakes sucks the life from us and turns our souring creative impulses into a pile of dead leaves.

self-confidence

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!" - Henry Ford.

The founder of the American automobile assembly line understood the importance of confidence and optimism. What we believe about our hopes and dreams has a profound impact on the likelihood of our success. It is important to help our children build their self-confidence through encouragement and affirmation.

Acceptance

"Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune." -- William James

This seems so obvious. What benefit could possibly come as a result of resisting reality? After all, you can go nowhere from where you are not. You can only move forward from the place your standing. To accept your misfortune is to stand on solid ground, the only meaningful starting place for a new tomorrow.

Meditations for Parents in recovery

Tree Frogs

Happiness is a Choice

“Happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination.” — Immanuel Kant

The great German philosopher got it right. Happiness is not based on logic, facts or reason. Happiness is the result of imagination and decision. Happiness is a choice. We can choose to be happy by choosing what we focus our attention on. Attention is a choice, much to the surprise of some.

Real Peace

“If we are not peaceful, if we are not feeling well in our skin, we cannot demonstrate real peace, and we cannot raise our children well either.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

This Buddhist monk speaks to the importance of the life we live in the presence of our children as their parents. Our children imitate the attitudes and behaviors they see us live in their presence, regardless of what we may try to teach them with our words. Let us live peaceably with our children that they may experience peace in their lives.

Children are Artists

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up…” – Pablo Picasso

"Children dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." — William Stafford

Both of these artists recognized the joyful creativity of young children. In their innocence and spontaneity they freely and joyfully create from their imagination. They are not inhibited or worried about what others think. They avoid the poisonous trap of comparing themselves to others. Too bad we can’t be more like these children.

Blog Widget

I recently discovered a neat program that creates a widget from a blog or web page. I have used several widgets in the past and find them both useful and creative. Now I can place a widget on any of my other blogs. Two examples are here on the left. Try it yourself. Just click on Blog Widget or GET WIDGET on the left and join the fun.

Check out my parenting blog. I share my reflections on choice quotes that touch on ideas and attitudes concerning personal growth.

Another birthday

Today we celebrated another grandson's birthday. Derek turned 3.


Cool train


Amazing Truck Book

More of the train

Turning 18

We celebrated our oldest grandson's 18th birthday with a family gathering at the house.

Josh also graduated high school a few days ago. He finished early. In this video clip he is enjoying a humorous card be gave him.

Winter visit of four deer.

We had four winter visiters this morning. They were attracted by some oarmeal that had passed the expiration date which we decided to share with the squirrels, birds and deer.

Christmas excitement

The grandchildren were excited about openning their Christmas stockings.

Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice. As I was returning home this late afternoon, I witnessed a gorgeous sky over the lake, the same lake and sky that produce such gorgeous sunsets in the summer. Enjoy.





Moments later, Bach's Christmas Choral, O Little One Sweet, was playing on the radio in the car as I slowly crept into the cul de sac to return home.

Eave lights

The cold weather has lifted just enough for the eaves to drip. Some of our house Christmas lights are positioned just right to catch the eave drips and freeze on the bulbs.

What would December be without rehearsing Christmas music?

Buck runs throught the driveway

On November 3rd, a buck deer that we've been sighting lateley dashes through the yard and across the driveway. He was anxious to retreat when the neighbors dog came out on their deck next door.

September Weekend

Judy and I decided to share some of the natural beauty of Minnesota in September with out house guest, Joe Wade, visiting from Ireland. On the morning of Saturday, September 22, 2007 we set out on a road trip to northern Minnesota. Our first stop was the Father Hennepin State Park on the southern edge of Lake Millacs. The Maples were aflame and the oaks and ash were turning as well.

Father Hennepin State Park

Shores of Lake Superior

Gooseberry Falls