LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES

Bumi Armada office building - “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”

An expert on whales was telling friends about some of the unusual findings he had made. "For instance," he said, "some whales can communicate at a distance of 300 miles."

"What on earth would one whale say to another 300 miles away?" asked a sarcastic member of the group.

"I'm not absolutely sure," answered the expert, "but it sounds something like this: 'Heeeeeeey! Can you hear me nowwww!?!' "

Hearing well is only part of effective communication. But another, and often more important part, is frequently overlooked. It does not concern the ears, however, but the eyes.

According to Leil Lowndes (TALKING THE WINNER'S WAY, Contemporary Books) Boston researchers asked opposite-sex individuals to have a two-minute casual conversation. They tricked half their subjects into maintaining intense eye contact by directing them to count the number of times their partner blinked. They gave the other half of the subjects no special eye-contact directions for the chat.

When questioned afterward, the unsuspecting blinkers reported significantly higher feelings of respect and fondness for their colleagues who, unbeknownst to them, had simply been counting their blinks. One might conclude that, for respect and fondness, count blinks! But the larger message is: good eye contact will dramatically improve your relationships.

Ears are not the only organs essential for great listening. Whether you're talking to a spouse, a colleague, a neighbor, a child or a stranger, eye contact is essential. When eyes are focused away from distractions and onto the speaker, the message you communicate most clearly is, "I value you."

Today, listen with your eyes -- and "see" what you've been missing!

From Lifesupport.

SECOND ACT BONANZA

Second Act is like a hidden jewel on the internet, offering great deals on refurbished HDTVs. With hi end branded products like Sony, JVC, Toshiba, Philips and Samsung, Second Act offers a wide range of products from LCD Flat Panel TVs, Plasma TVs to Computer Monitors and Home Audio Systems.
With the Great Deal of the Day highlight, Second Act offers a single item at a further discount on a 24 hours rotation basis. So check out the Great Deal of the Day through your email or their RSS to avoid missing out on your targeted products.

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Busy city view - “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans”

"Watch me dive off the high board, Dad," my ten-year-old son called out. I looked up to the ten-foot-high diving board and waited as he stood at the edge, stooped over, arms extended. He had jumped off the high board many times before, but now his nerve seemed to falter as he contemplated streaking through the air headfirst.

The swimming pool was vacated, so he could take his time. "You can do it, Robby," I encouraged. But he couldn't. Not that evening. For 20 minutes he attempted to muster the courage to make the plunge, and he finally gave up when the pool closed for the night.

"I feel disappointed in myself," Robby said on the way home. "I feel terrible. I know I can do it, though. I know I can."

He persuaded me to take him swimming again the next evening. Like the night before, we happened to be the only swimmers. "I'm going to do it this time," he said emphatically. "Watch me!"

He climbed the ladder and walked to the end of the board as I watched. Again I encouraged him. Again he hesitated. As the previous night, his nerve failed. It seemed that he would never conquer his fear and leap.

The lifeguards on duty helped me cheer him on. "You can do it, Robby," we all exhorted. "Just do it! Don't think about it. Just do it!"

For 30 minutes we encouraged him. For 30 minutes he started and stopped, he leaned and straightened and fought the fear that held him back.

And then it happened. He extended his arms, bent over the edge and fell headfirst into the water! He emerged to the sounds of laughter and congratulations. He did it! He finally did it! And before he went home, he did it three more times.

Robby learned something about facing his fear that evening. But he learned something else, too. He learned that some things can't be done with less than full commitment. A chasm cannot be leaped in two small jumps and a dive cannot be made a little at a time. Sometimes you just have to do it.

Some things require no less than full commitment. What is requiring your full commitment? Will you take the plunge?

From Lifesupport.

WHEN OTHERS SUFFER

Airport terminal lighting - “It's no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase "As pretty as an airport" appear”

People should never have to suffer loss alone. Yet, how do you comfort those who mourn? It is no doubt one of the most important things we can do for one another. And sometimes one of the most difficult.

Experts tell us, among other things, to simply say, "I'm sorry" or "I love you." They warn us against trying explain away the death or loss; against theologizing or philosophizing about it. Often, the less said, the better, so long as you are present, you care and you listen.

American poet Edgar Guest, told of a neighbor by the name of Jim Potter. Mr.Potter ran the drug store in the neighborhood where Edgar Guest lived. Their relationship was cordial, if not deep. Mostly they smiled and exchanged greetings when they happened to see one another.

One tragic night the poet's first-born child died. He felt crushed and overcome with grief. Several days after the death, Guest had reason to go to the drug store run by his neighbor. When he entered, Jim Potter motioned for him to come behind the counter.

"Eddie," he said, "I really can't express to you the great sympathy that I have for you at this time. All I can say is that I am terribly sorry, and if you need for me to do anything, you can count on me."

Many years later Edgar Guest reflected on that encounter. He said, "Just a person across the way -- a passing acquaintance. Jim Potter may have long since forgotten that moment when he extended his hand to me in sympathy, but I shall never forget it -- never in all my life. To me it stands out like the silhouette of a lonely tree against a crimson sunset."

As the poet thought back to that unhappy time, one vivid memory, just a brief encounter, shone brightest against a lifetime of memories. It was a recollection of a moment of genuine comfort from a neighbor. And it meant the world to a grieving father.

Those who comfort others bring no less than a piece of heaven to earth.

From Lifesupport.

TRAVEL TO BERLIN & VIENNA

Berlin and Vienna are Germany's more popular destinations of travel. That said, Hotels in Berlin and Hotels in Vienna offer some of the best services available. Berlin, being the capital of Germany, offers a multitude of attractions from its festivities to its architectural heritage.
Vienna is the capital of Austria and its largest city. With a population count of 1.7 million, Vienna was declared a UNESCO World Heritage. Vienna is also ranked third for its quality of life worldwide. With a rich tradition in art and culture, Vienna is full of theaters, operas, classical music and fine arts. Finding the right Hotels in Berlin and Hotels in Vienna is hassle free with a wide selection to choose from.

TWO EYES; TWO HANDS

Troubleshooting computer printer - “The problem with troubleshooting is that trouble shoots back.”

An older couple lay in bed one morning, having just awakened from a good night's sleep. He tenderly took her hand, but she pulled back responding, "Don't touch me."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because I'm dead."

Her confused husband said, "What are you talking about? We're both lying here in bed together and talking to one another."

"No," she said, "I'm definitely dead."

He insisted, "You're not dead. What in the world makes you think you're dead?"

"Because I woke up this morning and nothing hurts."

It is good to be able to laugh when we can, and especially about daily aches and pains or normal problems. But sometimes our difficulties and losses are so staggering we wonder how long we can cope. Lingering and chronic illness, loss of someone we love and overwhelming worry can devastate us. All of us have known almost unbearable pain and hardships. Heart-breaking times. We might think we will never again wake up feeling good.

A wise obstetrician at a university teaching hospital once made a comment about suffering. Someone asked the doctor what advice he offered to his students, future doctors and nurses, when caring for mothers who gave birth to stillborn infants.

The doctor paused for a moment in thought. Then he said this: "I tell them that they need two eyes. One eye is not enough; they need two eyes. With one eye they have to check the I.V.; and with the other eye they have to weep. That's what I tell them," he said. "I tell them that they need two eyes."

He knows the secret of hard times: we need two eyes. One for seeing, the other for weeping. And we need two hands. One for holding on, the other for reaching out.

I don't know all there is to know about suffering. But I do know the way to survive it. Two eyes; two hands. That's how we get through this life best.

From Lifesupport.

KEEPING PACE WITH YOURSELF

People packed - “It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude”

Who is setting your standards for you?

A true story has it that one older man decided to jog around the local high school football field. As he huffed and puffed along, the team was in practice.

The players soon started running sprints up and down the field. The man told himself, "I'll just keep running until they quit." So he ran. And they ran. And he ran some more. And they kept running. And he kept running until he could finally run no more. He stopped in exhaustion. One of the players, equally exhausted, approached him and said, "Boy, I'm glad you finally stopped, Mister. Coach told us we had to keep running wind sprints as long as the old guy was jogging!"

He was watching them. They were watching him. He was letting them set his standard. They allowed him to set theirs.

My question is this: Are you keeping pace with somebody else? Are you allowing other people to set your standards for you? What about your standards, or principles, for moral behavior? Or guidelines for what kind of attitudes you want, or how happy your relationships should be? Do you keep pace with those around you, or do you decide yourself just how you will live your life? The truth is...only you are qualified to determine what your standards will be.

Set your standards too low, and you'll know only discontent. But set high standards and you can live an immeasurably full and worthwhile life. For only when you reach for the best that is within yourself, will you experience great living.

Who is setting your standards?

From Lifesupport.

ADVANTAGE LIFE INSURANCE

Finding the right Insurance Quotes or Online Insurance Policy especially when you want to Save Money on Insurance can be a difficult and time consuming task. Whether your company is looking for Corporate Insurance Plans for Employers or Key man Coverage, Advantage Term Life can provide the right Quoting Insurance Services to suit your needs.
Advantage Term Life offers Cash Back Life Insurance and a great section on Insurance Plans Pros and Cons. If you are looking to Save Money on Insurance Premium or Reduce Premiums, look no further than Advantage Term Life.

CLOSE COMBAT TRAINING ANYONE?

In this day and age, personal safety has become a top priority. It is a peace of mind to have some Close Combat Training for you will never know what to expect in the future.
Captain Chris' Close Combat is a great place to learn The Truth About Martial Arts. With easy to follow guidance and effective resources, anyone can learn Close Combat Training from the World Leader In Self Defence.

ALL THE ADVICE YOU'LL EVER NEED

Marine ship engine - “I do not fear failure. I only fear the "slowing up" of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, "Keep going, someone must be on top, why not you?"”

A popular T-shirt reads, "Upon the Advice of My Attorney, My Shirt Bears No Message at This Time." Perhaps the counsel of others is occasionally heeded, but I know that advice is not something people crave. Which is why it is sometimes said that free advice is worth about as much as you pay for it. Or put another way: "Plain advice is free. The right answer will cost plenty."

Our penchant for not wanting advice holds true across the generations. President Harry Truman once said, "I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it."

Nor is our aversion to advice just a peculiar sign of the times. As one boy wrote in an essay on the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates: "Socrates was a man who went around town giving his advice and opinions, so...they poisoned him!" What this student lacks in historical accuracy he more than makes up for in his sense about how well most advice is received.

Not all advice should be discarded, however. Nor should we overlook wisdom from unlikely sources. Like the "uneducated." And the aged.

I have a faded letter clipped from a newspaper many years ago. The author published some counsel given him by his grandmother who had died some 60 years prior, and who had never attended school. She offered it printed on a slip of paper, accompanied by the words, "All the advice you'll ever need to have a good life." I find it worth remembering. Here is what she wrote:

"Wash what is dirty. Water what is dry. Heal what is wounded. Warm what is cold. Guide what goes off the road. Love people who are least lovable, because they need it most."

Enough days spent refreshing, healing, warming, guiding and loving will add up to a good life, significant and well lived.

From Lifesupport.

TUTORVISTA.COM ONLINE TUTOR

Everyone needs help now and then in their studies. Students often try in vain to find the right tutor for their specific tutoring needs.
Tutorvista.com is one of the most effective online tutoring available. With proficient homework help in various subjects such as math and algebra, Tutorvista.com can cater for students 24X7.

IMPERTURBABILITY

School basketball court - “People react to fear, not love - they don't teach that in Sunday School, but it's true.”

I think Charles Allen said it first. "When faced with problems which threaten to steal your peace of mind, learn the meaning of the word 'imperturbability.'"

I heard of two artists who were asked to illustrate peace. Each was assigned the task of depicting a peaceful scene on canvas.

The first artist drew a beautiful picture of a countryside on a warm, spring day. A soft sun illumines green grass and bathes a picturesque farmhouse and grazing cattle in its warmth. A farmer walks contentedly behind strong plow horses preparing his field for spring planting. The picture is one of beauty and quiet tranquility.

The other artist took a different approach. He drew a majestic, rugged cliff. Gnarled trees, twisted by years of violent winds, jut from the craggy mountainside. Dark clouds hang low and fierce while jagged streaks of lightening slash across an angry sky. The picture is one of violence, chaos and rage.

But as one looks closely, something else becomes visible. There in one of the crevices of the rocky mountain, tucked back just out of reach of the wind and rain - a nest with two small birds. Apparently unconcerned about the impending storm, they appear calm, cozy and peaceful as they patiently wait for the turbulence to pass.

And isn't that the way it so often is? We may want to be surrounded by peace, but storms rage. Problems and pressures without threaten to steal peace of mind within.

The answer is imperturbability: inner peace that doesn't leave when circumstances change. It's a peace that is greater than the problems of life, built on assurance that the tempest will finally pass, that we will survive the storm, that we may grow stronger because of it and, in the meantime, we will not endure it alone.

Imperturbability - it's the result of a peace that passes understanding. For serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.

From Lifesupport.

MPIRE SHOPPING LOT

The wise shopper always looks around first to find the best deals available before landing that final purchase.
Mpire.com saves us the hassle of price surveys by providing a powerful search tool to easily find the best deals online.
Mpire.com covers most categories from clothing and shoes to electronics and jewelry. Mpire.com offers a truly hassle free shopping experience with everything in one place and with the best deals available.

FARREYS.COM LIGHTING HOMES

Farreys.com has one of the most comprehensive lighting catalogue on the web. With exquisite selections of fine art lamps and contemporary lighting like george kovacs and hinkley light fixtures, Farreys.com has much to offer for lighting shoppers.
With high quality brand names like kichler lighting, minka lavery lighting and murray feiss lighting available, one can easily find the right lighting for their homes easily.

BEAUTY IS SOUL DEEP

Decor ornaments display - “Friendship is like a glass ornament, once it is broken it can rarely be put back together exactly the same way.”

Abraham Lincoln loved to tell stories on himself. One of his favorites concerned itself with physical appearance.

In the days when Lincoln used to be on the circuit (traveling on horseback from one county court to another), he was once approached by a stranger who said, "Excuse me, sir, but I have an article which belongs to you."

"How is that?" Lincoln asked in astonishment.

The stranger took a jack-knife from his pocket. "This knife," he said "was placed in my hand some years ago, with the injunction that I was to keep it until I found a man homelier-looking than I am myself. I have carried that knife for many years. Now I pass it on to you."

Lincoln added wryly, "I've carried that knife ever since."

One of Lincoln's greatest assets was his ability to laugh at himself. And he frequently laughed at his physical appearance. But history does not remember him as an "ugly" individual -- in fact, often just the opposite. His outer appearance was clothed in magnificently beautiful garments: character, honesty, humor and courage. But there are other clothes he wore equally well -- such as humility and forgiveness.

We say that beauty is skin deep. But it isn't really. It has very little to do with the skin. True beauty is soul deep. It is a fabric that is woven in the soul and worn in plain view.

The Bible speaks of something similar. It teaches us to clothe ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Then "over all of these put on love, which binds them in perfect unity." Regardless of how good looking we may otherwise be, it is these clothes that will determine our actual beauty.

This was taught to me by a woman who used to think that if she were granted only one wish, it would be to be beautiful. She saw her wheel-chair dependent body as unsightly and, therefore, she missed her more attractive assets. But when she was finally convinced of some of her beautiful personality traits by her friends, she came to a different point of view. Today she says, "Now I know I AM beautiful. Very beautiful."

Beauty is soul deep. Learn that and you may realize that you are far more attractive than you ever imagined!

From Lifesupport.

TRAVEL TO ITALY

Italy, the Italian Republic has much to offer for travelers to experience. With Rome as its capital city, Italy is full of world heritage monuments and hictorical cultures.
From Rome to Venice and all the way to Milan, one of the world capitals of fashion and design, travelers will have much to see and savor. Accommodation wont be a problem with many italy hotels to choose from, in addition to rome hotels, venice hotels and milan hotels.

THE BEST GIFT EVER

Notebooks partners - “All our young lives we search for someone to love. We choose partners, change partners... all the while wondering if there's someone, somewhere, searching for us.”

Merrill Markoe once quipped, "It's like magic. When you live by yourself, all your annoying habits are gone!" But the bigger question is: Can you still have annoying habits and be accepted anyway?

Author Francine Klagsbrun asked a select group of successfully married couples the secrets of their happy marriages. Often they replied, "We don't expect perfection." Even though their spouses had qualities they would like to see changed, they had learned to accept those qualities because, as one woman said, "The payoff is so great in others areas."

Former president Jimmy Carter discovered a surprising benefit when he chose NOT to try to change his spouse. He once told how NOT criticizing Rosalynn actually enhanced his marriage (READER'S DIGEST, July 1989). This is what he said:

"Perhaps because of my Navy training, punctuality has been almost an obsession. Rosalynn has always been adequately punctual, except by my standards. A deviation of five minutes or less in our departure time would cause a bitter exchange.

"One morning I realized it was Rosalynn's birthday and I hadn't brought her a present. What could I do that would be special for her? I hurriedly wrote a note: 'Happy birthday! As proof of my love, I will never make an unpleasant comment about tardiness.' I signed it and delivered it in an envelope, with a kiss.

"More than four years later, I still keep my promise. It has turned out to be one of the nicest birthday presents for Rosalynn -- and for me."

His last sentence is telling. It turned out good for Rosalynn AND for him! The surprising benefit of accepting others without wishing that they were different is that you, too, will be happier.

What a wonderful present to give to somebody -- complete and unconditional acceptance! And its just too good a gift to wait for a birthday.

From Lifesupport.

BADCREDITOFFERS.COM

Badcreditoffers.com is a great consumer resource for the financially challenged. With a comprehensive listing of the available best 'bad credit' offers around, users can breeze through numerous offers and choose the best one for their specific needs.
Badcreditoffers.com provides offers in areas such as credit cards, home loans, auto loans as well as personal loans. Users can also get their credit report and score through Badcreditoffers.com.

LAUGHING -- IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN

Heap of monitors - “After a day spent staring at a computer monitor, think of a book as a kind of screen saver for your brain”

My friend Jack was in the hospital when the new pastor from his church arrived. He sent a message that he would like the pastor to call on him. Before the pastor came to the hospital, Jack ordered an extra catheter bag from the hospital pharmacy. Since he was a pharmacist in the hospital, he knew the staff well enough to make such a request. Then he filled the bag with his favorite pale soft drink --Mountain Dew.

The new pastor soon arrived and they visited for a while. At one point, Jack reached down and picked up the bag from the side of the bed. He studied it for a moment and then said, "It looks a little thin. Maybe I'll run it through again." And he drank from it.

After the new pastor recovered from shock, he laughed with his new friend. And he discovered through the years that Jack brought a valuable gift to life -- laughter.

"The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed," said Nicholas de Chamfort. And another merry soul made this wise observation: "Ever notice how everyone who gets a flat tire can laugh about it a week or a month later? The shorter the distance between the flat and the laugh, the healthier the body, the keener the mind, the stronger the spirit."

Laugh quickly. Laugh heartily. Laugh often. Sure, it's good for your body, mind and spirit ... but mostly, it's just plain fun.

From Lifesupport.

REALTRAVEL TRAVEL GUIDE

Let's face it. We all need a little help when it comes to planning our next travel destinations. RealTravel is one of the best travel guide available online.
RealTravel is a comprehensive and easy to use travel guide with its popular price comparison function to find the best rates available. Head on over to RealTravel travel guide and start saving on your next trip.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU A KICK

The food court - “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope”

I'm told the story is true: A woman was giving birth to a baby in an elevator at a hospital. When she complained about the location, a nurse said, "Why, this isn't so bad; last year a woman delivered her baby out on the front lawn."

"Yes," said the woman on the floor, "that was me, too."

Who said, "If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all?"

But on the other hand, not all "bad luck" should be considered a bad thing! Like someone said, "When life gives you a kick, let it kick you forward."

In the 1920s, Ernest Hemingway learned something about "bad luck" and getting kicked by life. He was struggling to make his mark as an author when disaster struck. He lost a suitcase containing all his manuscripts -- many stories he'd polished to jewel-like perfection -- which he'd been planning to publish in a book.

According to Denis Waitley in his book Empires of the Mind (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1995), the devastated Hemingway couldn't conceive of redoing his work. All those months of arduous writing were simply wasted.

He lamented his predicament to friend and poet Ezra Pound who called it a stroke of good fortune! Pound assured Hemingway that when he rewrote the stories, he would forget the weak parts; only the best material would reappear. He encouraged the aspiring author to start over with a sense of optimism and confidence. Hemingway did rewrite the stories and eventually became a major figure in American literature.

Don't pray for fewer problems; pray for more skills. Don't ask for smaller challenges; ask for greater wisdom. Don't look for an easy way out; look for the best possible outcome.

When life gives you a kick, let it kick you forward.

From Lifesupport.

REALTRAVEL BLOG

RealTravel is a great travel blog. RealTravel offers great travel stories, fantastic pictures and useful recommendations from its community members.
If you ever need advice or recommendation on your next travel destination, RealTravel is the travel blog for you. Head on over RealTravel and discover your dream travel destinations.

LAMPS GALORE

Get your lamp shopping done easily and hassle free. Farreys.com is a great place to check out all types of lamps including table lamps, floor lamps and desk lamps.

With a great range and selection of lamps on offer, you can find the ideal lamp that is fitting to your needs. With great designs to choose from, it won't be hard to pick a lamp that is the perfect match to your home.

RISE ABOVE

Shipyard metal rail - “Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.”

Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy received endless advice and criticism from the media concerning how he should run the country. Much of it he took good-naturedly. In fact, he often used a favorite story in response to the media's comments about how they thought he could do a better job.

He told about a legendary baseball player who always played flawlessly. He consistently hit when at bat and was never thrown out at first. When on base he never failed to score. As a fielder, he never dropped a ball and he threw with unerring accuracy. He ran swiftly and played gracefully.

In fact, he would have been one of the all-time greats except for one thing - no one could ever persuade him to put down his beer and hotdog and come out of the press box to play!

Most of us can empathize, for we all have people in our lives who criticize and second-guess. They are quick to point out flaws and quicker yet to offer advice.

When it comes to receiving criticism, I believe it helps to remember first that not all criticism is invalid. Wisdom listens for the kernel of truth and saves it for future growth. But when criticism seems unfair, I believe it helps to remember the hawk. When attacked by crows, it does not counterattack. Instead, the hawk soars higher and higher in ever- widening circles until the pests leave it alone.

When there is nothing to learn from criticism, can you rise above it and soar?

From Lifesupport.

THE STAINLESS STEEL STORE

The Stainless Steel Store is the one stop to get all your stainless steel products. With quality stainless steel products ranging from stainless steel protective torch caps to stainless steel tumblers, the Stainless Steel Store is bound to have the right product you are looking for.

Some of the best selling stainless steel products include stainless steel toilet paper holder, stainless steel tissue box and stainless steel cabinet. Find the stainless steel products you are looking for at the Stainless Steel Store.

THE GLORY OF SOLITUDE

Monument decor - “Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man.”

We've all been lonely. You may understand how one weary traveler felt as he sat alone on the edge of the bed in his motel room. He reached for the Gideon Bible in the drawer and opened it. Inside was a page that said, "If you are lonely and restless, read Psalm 23 and Psalm 27, Old Testament." Just below this reference, somebody wrote by hand: "If you are still lonesome, call Mandy at 235-2827."

Not all aloneness is lonely, however. Theologian Paul Tillich put it this way: "Language... has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone."

Can you be alone without being lonely? Can you spend time by yourself without craving noise and stimulation? There is glory in solitude. And it brings with it gifts that come from nowhere else.

Ardath Rodale has said, "We can find quiet places of solitude among the trees. In a grove of pine trees where the ground is covered by soft needles, I sometimes lie down and look up through the branches to see the blue sky. The tips of new pine growth shine in the sunlight. The smell of pine needles fills the air. As a soft wind blows, I realize that the whole branch sways in the breeze, but the needles shiver independently like one of Bertoia's musical chimes. I listen, but all is quiet. Trees say to each of us, 'Give yourself time to listen to who you are.'"

Have you noticed that, in English, the word "listen" contains the same letters as the word "silent"? In order to truly listen to who we are, we must be silent. And in solitude, we will hear what can be heard no other way.

Have you discovered the glory of solitude?

From Lifesupport.

ADELAIDE GUMTREE CLASSIFIEDS

If you are looking for easy to access classified ads in Adelaide Australia, head on over to the Adelaide classifieds on Adelaide Gumtree. This is a great comprehensive classifieds listing that is a breeze to use and find what you are looking for.Adelaide Gumtree offers classified ads in a wide area of interests from finding the best Jobs in Adelaide or the ideal accommodation to rent to getting the best matches for Dating in Adelaide. You can also find a comprehensive list of business services in Adelaide and also community activities in Adelaide on Adelaide Gumtree.

NOTHING WILL GROW THERE!

Durian, king of fruits - “He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king.”

Brian Cavanaugh, T.O.R. tells about a magnificent harvest in his book "MORE SOWER'S SEEDS: Second Planting." One spring, he and two seminary friends sought permission to plant a garden. He says, "Our house of studies was located in the downtown area of a large metropolitan city. There wasn't much of a backyard. Actually, it was a stone-covered dirt parking lot with no extra space. However, we carefully planned our garden, taking into account the area that received optimal sunshine.

"The three of us approached the superior with our plan for a small area to plant some squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. The only real cost involved was to rent a rake, a pickax and a hoe. However, getting the superior's permission would still be difficult. None of us who were involved with this garden project will ever forget his response to our request. With a slightly bored, tilting of his head he glanced at us and abjectly replied, 'You're wasting your time. Nothing will ever grow there! But, go ahead if you still want to.'

"We had received permission from on high! So what if it wasn't enthusiastic. We rented tools; raked four inches of stones into neat walls outlining the garden; hoisted the pickax and struck what must have been a former refuse area. A gardener's dream -- dark, composted, fertile soil just sitting there waiting to be discovered. We looked at each other with broad grins and repeated in unison, 'Ah, nothing will grow there.' As you might have surmised by now, things did grow there, in our garden. In fact, twice we re-staked the tomatoes, topping them off, finally, when they were seven feet tall."

Have you ever felt that way about your life -- "Nothing will grow there..."? Have you felt discouraged about your life's progress? Worried about crop failure? Disappointed that nothing good ever seems to come up?

What do you want to grow? Understanding? Faith? Courage? Optimism? Joy? Love? Or are you nurturing a new project or small business?

Don't believe that "nothing will grow there." I like the observation of writer George Eliot, "It's never too late to be who you might have been." You may not always see the potential for growth, but it is there. All the rich compost you need may be hidden just beneath the surface, but can only be discovered after you begin digging.

Ralph Waldo Emerson proclaimed, "Oh man! There is no planet sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are." You are capable of doing and becoming more than you might imagine!

With careful nurture, something WILL grow there. And it will be magnificent.

From Lifesupport.

IS IT TIME TO MOVE AHEAD?

Conducting repairs - “It is more honorable to repair a wrong than to persist in it”

Have you ever noticed how dependent we are on others? If you're good at something, chances are, other people helped you along the way. A musician is usually trained by another musician. An athlete achieves excellence because she trains hard and is well coached. A wise man became that way because of books, schools and centuries of accumulated wisdom to draw upon. No matter your field, you are probably good largely because of the work and help of others!

Author William A. Cohen in his book THE ART OF THE LEADER (Prentice Hall, 1990), tells about a man whom most people will recognize. His name is Napoleon Hill.

Hill was a young newsman around the turn of the last century. He interviewed steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie was then one of the wealthiest men alive. He convinced Hill to devote twenty years of his life to a study of what made people successful. Carnegie helped Hill by giving him introductions to the mightiest, wealthiest, and best-known men of his day. These included Henry Ford, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Schwab, George Eastman, John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison and others. (Personally, I wish the list contained the names of women, too, but this was a hundred years ago.)

The young Napoleon Hill discovered an amazing fact from his research. None of these successful individuals became successful strictly by themselves or by virtue of what they could do by themselves. Every single one of the successful individuals that Napoleon Hill interviewed excelled in their fields through the help of others. Talented as these people may have been, they needed the expertise, leadership and talents of other people in order to move to new levels.

The lesson we learn is this: We need other people - especially if we are to improve. If you want to excel, if you are ready to move to the next level professionally, economically, or in any other way, there are those with the skills and the desire to assist. You'll never do and be what you are capable of doing and being until you turn to the right people to aid your success. There are those better than you in the areas you want to improve. Find them...and use them.

A German proverb states, "When one helps another, both are strong." Conversely, when two go it alone, both are weaker. It may be time to reach out...and move ahead.

From Lifesupport.

EXPECT A MASTERPIECE

Ship bowel - “Beware of the little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”

It was reported that one man was killed and another wounded in the Philippines when a fight broke out at a karaoke bar in Manila over the quality of the singing. The fighting evidently broke out when a group of drinkers claimed the man at the microphone was singing out of tune. Many karaoke clubs in the country have already removed Frank Sinatra's "My Way" from their playlists because of fistfights as the song was being performed. There was apparently no tolerance to let them sing it "their way."

While it's true that some people perhaps believe themselves to be talented in ways they clearly are not, that is not the case with most of us. People frequently lament that they have little or no talent; that they possess no "gifts" or unique abilities. Too many of us see ourselves as having little to contribute beyond our jobs. Too often we feel that we will make little difference in this world because we have nothing to offer.

But then there's Mary Clough. Mary has Down syndrome. She is a volunteer teacher at a school she herself attended many years ago. Mary works with 2- and 3-year-olds, some with Down syndrome and some without. Among other tasks, she helps with puzzles, reads stories and teaches the kids a variety of athletic activities. "We care about little kids here," she says. "We set examples for them."

Mary does not say that she has nothing to offer; she knows better. And I suspect she knows that it does not matter WHAT talents and abilities any of us has, but what we DO with them that counts.

John Ruskin correctly says, "When love and skill work together; expect a masterpiece. " Mary takes what skill she has, combines it with a heart full of love, and gives it away as a masterpiece. She has much to teach us about using the talent we have.

From Lifesupport.

EASYTOBOOK ACCOMMODATION

It could be a hassle trying to plan your vacation especially when it comes to finding the right accommodation. easytobook is a great website to help in booking the ideal accommodation for your travels.

easytobook is your guide to getting the right accommodation in major travel destinations globally. You can easily find the best available accommodation deals in Europe cities like Barcelona, Rome, Prague, London and Dublin all across the pacific ocean to New York.

THE FIRST SECRET OF SUCCESS

Iron fence - “It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.”

"Success is dependent upon the glands - sweat glands," says motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. Here's a true story about a man who learned that lesson.

Harold was ready to retire. His wife Martha, however, was less enthusiastic. As she explained to a friend, "Harold has never done anything that required physical exertion. He never played golf, mowed the lawn or even washed the windows. When he retires, he will sit in his easy chair and expect me to bring him his food."

But to Martha's surprise, soon after he retired Harold joined a health club. And one night, when he arrived home from exercise class, he announced, "I signed up for the wrestling tournament. I am going to wrestle Friday night."

Martha was shocked. "Please don't do it, Harold," she begged. "You're not in shape. You will be so beat up they will have to carry you home!" However, he couldn't be dissuaded and she told him that if he went through with his "lame idea," she was not going to watch.

She stayed away that Friday evening as Harold wrestled. Then about 10:00 p.m., just as she predicted, two men practically carried Harold home. He lay down on the couch, every muscle strained and bruised. Before she could speak, he sputtered, "Don't say a word, Martha! This is not the worst of it. I won tonight. I have to wrestle again tomorrow night!"

Harold worked hard for his success, but he may not have been ready to succeed! He proved, however, that when you combine sweat with the belief that you can do a certain thing, tremendous results will often follow.

In fact, I believe Harold may have even surprised himself. As Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, "People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."

Have you discovered that secret?

From Lifesupport.

TRAVEL TO UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom or England is one of the world's oldest country with its world famous Royal Family. England has much to offer to travelers with its rich historical past and its present world landmarks.
No visit to England would be complete without including London in your travel plans. Being the capital city and the largest city in England, London is a major global city with world leading business, financial and cultural centres. With great sights and sounds to indulge in, travelers can easily check into one of the many fine Hotels in London during their visit.
Manchester, located north-west of London, is famous for its nightlife with nightclubs and DJ culture. In the West Midlands, there is the city of Birmingham which is a powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution. Birmingham offers great museums, galleries, parks and squares for travelers to relax and have a peaceful outing. Accommodation is not an issue as there are many Hotels in Manchester and Hotels in Birmingham to choose from.

CHOOSING CONFIDENCE

Shipping containers - “Life does not accommodate you, it shatters you. It is meant to, and it couldn't do it better. Every seed destroys its container or else there would be no fruition.”

Carefully examining a display in the drugstore, a man asked the pharmacist, "Do you really guarantee this hair-restorer? "

The pharmacist responded, "Better than that, sir. We give a comb with every bottle." Wouldn't you love to have that kind of confidence?

One man quipped, "When it comes to believing in myself, I'm an agnostic." One of the greatest problems many people experience is lack of confidence. Some don't believe in their ability to speak in public, others are afraid to try something they've never done before, and still others do not have the confidence to overcome their shyness.

Do you know that you can become more confident? One effective technique is to learn to do what you're afraid to do.

I led a seminar a few years ago where I asked for three volunteers to speak to the group the next day. One young woman named Judy was the first to raise her hand. She explained to me later why she did so:
"When you asked for three volunteers," Judy said, "I felt a knot of fear in my stomach. I've never done anything like this before and I've never really believed I could. But the fear was telling me something," she continued. "So...BECAUSE I felt so anxious, I decided that this was something I had to do. But I must to tell you, I'm terrified!"

She made up her mind to DO that which she was afraid to do. And the following day, Judy's five-minute talk was superb! She was honest and genuine, speaking right from her heart. Now she is more confident about her ability to speak in public.

People who are confident have choices. People who are fearful too often avoid much of life because they are afraid to venture into unknown territory.

Jim Loehr said, "With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp." When you make what you're afraid to do what you CHOOSE to do, you will soon have the confidence TO DO whatever you choose!

From Lifesupport.

TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA

Australia is a great place for travellers to visit. With its distinct history and rich culture, Australia has much to offer for the adventurous and sight seeing traveller.

Adelaide, also known as "The City of Churches", has plenty of historical architectures. Its rich festivals are sights to behold and visitors can sample its fine wine, arts and sports activities. Adelaide Hotels have great hospitality with warm homey feel. Visitors can easily check in into one of the many fine Hotels in Adelaide.
Brisbane is another notable city to visit in Australia. With its great cityscape and tourist attractions there is no end to the sights and sounds visitors can experience. Brisbane Accommodation is easy to find with many good hotels to choose from.