NO FUTURE IN THE PAST IN LIFE

Cacti plants at the nursery - “Happy is he who still loves something he loved in the nursery: He has not been broken in two by time; he is not two men, but one, and he has saved not only his soul but his life.”

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him.

"Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I can never remember where I park my car, where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in advance."

Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad...especially when we decide to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the present. Like one song says, "There ain't no future in the past."

The past is to be remembered -- how else will we learn from it and keep from repeating it? But why would I want to remember every time I felt hurt because of my spouse, my children, my friends, my boss or anybody else? Why would I want to fill my mind with a detailed catalogue of past pain? Better to remember the times they brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth. Unfortunately, even those wonderful and magical moments too easily fade away.

A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, asked her about a particular traumatic event in her life. Miss Barton seemed perplexed.

"Can't you remember?" the friend prodded.

Clara Barton replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

Dwell on the past -- but not the negative past, not the pain of the past nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past joys and obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that uplifted you, the times you laughed and the memories of love shown to you by friends and family.

Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well know what to forget and what to cherish. Like the song says, "There ain't no future in the past." But there IS joy there. And love. And kindness...if we choose to remember.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

ARE YOU LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST?

Assembled robot model kit - “Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done. One could write a history of science in reverse by assembling the solemn pronouncements of highest authority about what could not be done and could never happen.”

One night, a Dodgers farm club coached by Tommy Lasorda was leading Tucson by one run in the eighth inning, but Tucson had the bases loaded with two outs. According to Don Martin in TEAM THINK (Penguin books, Ltd., 1993), Lasorda decided to pep up his pitcher, a left-hander named Bobby O'Brien. Lasorda slowly walked out to the mound and said, "Bobby, if the heavens opened up right now and you could hear the voice of the Big Dodger in the sky and he said to you, 'Bobby, you're going to die and come up to heaven, and this is the last batter you're ever going to face,' how would you like the meet the Lord, getting this man out or letting him get a hit from you?"

"I'd want to face him getting this guy out," O'Brien replied.

"That's right," said Lasorda, "you would. Now, how do you know that after you throw the next pitch you're not going to die? This might really be the last hitter you're ever going to face and if it is, you'll want to face the Lord getting him out."

Lasorda figured it was just about the best pep talk ever and he strutted confidently back to the dugout. O'Brien wound up and threw the pitch. The batter lined a base hit to right field, knocking in two runs.

Lasorda was beside himself. "Bobby, what happened?" he asked.

"It's like this, Skip," said O'Brien. "You had me so worried about dying I couldn't concentrate on the batter!"

Many people are worried about dying. Their worry can keep them from fully enjoying life in the present. But for other people, the knowledge that they will die someday actually motivates them to live more fully!

Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who has extensively studied death and dying, put it like this: "It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had."

It's true, we have no way of knowing when our time is up. But we have today. Will you live it as if it were the only day you had?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

NOT JUST A PIPE DREAM IN LIFE

Painted garden mural - “Magazine photography is the mural painting of modern times.”

Are your dreams and beautiful ideas just pipe dreams?

According to Webb Garrison in his book WHY YOU SAY IT (Rutledge Hill Press, 1992), the term "pipe dream" has its origins in the 19th century. The drug opium was imported into Europe from Asia and was widely used in certain literary circles in Britain. Opium was smoked in a pipe and, once under the influence, people had hallucinations that were referred to as pipe dreams. So today, an unrealistic or impractical idea may be quickly discounted as a pipe dream.

But not all seemingly impossible or far-fetched ideas are merely pipe dreams. A case in point is the dream millionaire Eugene Lang gave to high school students in the impoverished neighborhood in which he was raised. Addressing a class of eighth-graders in the South Bronx, Lang threw away his prepared speech. The empty eyes of the students in attendance told him they were not interested in his "motivational" talk. Their neighborhood had become a battlefield of poverty, drugs and gangs, and a breeding ground of despair. About 80% of them would not complete high school. Few would ever leave the neighborhood. Fewer still would climb out of poverty. That is why Mr. Lang tossed aside his speech. The students didn't need a speech; they needed a dream.

Then, the words that came from Eugene Lang's mouth may have even astonished him! "If you graduate from high school," he told the youth, "I will send you to college." Send you to college!

For the next four years he worked with the school and kept the dream alive. And the results were phenomenal: all but two of the 60 teenagers finished high school! True to his word, he sent them to college. "He gave us hope," one student said, no doubt speaking for the majority. Another one of the students, upon meeting Lang later, said to him, "Mr. Lang, we did the impossible."

Not every seemingly unrealistic idea is a pipe dream. When that beautiful dream is combined with hard work and great expectation, then the impossible can be achieved. For when you believe enough in that magnificent dream, most anything can happen.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

YOU WERE MEANT FOR THE SKIES FOR LIFE

Unboxing external harddisk drive - “It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one's own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.”

This story reminds us how important a healthy self-image really is.

A man found an eagle's egg and put it in a nest of a
barnyard hen. The eagle hatched with the brood of chicks and grew
up with them. All his life, the eagle did what the barnyard chicks
did, thinking he was a barnyard chicken. He scratched the earth
for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he thrashed his
wings and flew a few feet in the air.

Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a
magnificent bird above him in the cloudless sky. It glided in
graceful majesty among powerful wind currents, with scarcely a
beat of its strong, golden wings.

The old eagle looked up in awe. "Who's that?" he asked.
"That's the eagle, the king of the birds," said his neighbor. "He
belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth – we're chickens." So
the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that is what he thought he
was. (Author unknown)

You were meant for the skies - not the chicken coop. Who will believe in you if you do not believe in yourself?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

CELEBRATE YOU FOR LIFE!

Orange and black office chair - “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.”

CELEBRATE YOU! It is no exaggeration to say you are a GIFT to the world.

US Congressman Tribble told a story about teaching his daughter that she was her own person. Wherever she went, the little girl was constantly associated with her father. "Oh, you must be Congressman Tribble's daughter," well-intentioned adults would coo.

She explained to her parents that she wanted to be herself, not simply known as Congressman Tribble's little girl. Her father told her not to worry about it. Her mother, who perhaps understood the problem better, suggested, "The next time that happens, just stand right up and say,'I am Constance Tribble!'"

The opportunity arose just a few days later. A group of people met her and when they heard her name, they said, "Why, Congressman Tribble must be your father!" Constance looked right back at them and said, "Oh, no! That's not what my mother says!"

We can be assured than Congressman Tribble was her father, but that fact was only a part of who Constance Tribble is. She rightly believed herself to be unique, and she wanted to be known as her own person.

You are unique. Do you value that which makes you different? For nobody in the world has quite the mix of your perspective, your sense of humor, your skills and abilities and your potential. No one can be YOU as well as you can be you. You are an original, the likes of which the world has never before seen.

Writer Robert Zend quips, "People have one thing in common -- they are all different." And it's the difference that makes a difference!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

LOVE LETTER TO A CAT IN LIFE

Peaceful garden walkway - “If some of our works are symphonies, then wrapped walkways was chamber music.”

A love letter to a cat? Why not? At least Andrew thought it might work. This is an actual love letter written by a boy to his cat.

But before you read the letter, you must un­derstand this about the cat. She is about as af­fec­tionate as a cactus. And besides, she goes to great lengths to avoid Andrew. She would rather sleep the day away in one of her many hiding places scattered throughout the boy's house than be near him. And on one of those rare occasions when she makes an appearance, he can forget about touching her. If he never has anything to do with her, that is all right by the cat.

The boy tries his best to be nice. He looks for her, searching the house for an occupied hiding place, and feels abundantly grateful if he should stumble upon his treasure. He is occasionally al­lowed to stroke her once or twice before she flits off. He even feeds her, hoping to eventually win her confidence and perhaps even a bit of affection. But he is seldom rewarded with anything like at­tention.

Now that you know something about the cat, whose name is Mehitabel, by the way, what about the love letter? It was found next to the cat's food dish. This is what it said: "To cat (he couldn't spell Mehitabel!): I love you. Before you love me I will love you more. Love, Andrew. Meow!"

What a selfless love! "I love you. Before you love me I will love you more." That is the kind of patient love a parent may have for a child. And the kind of love God has for us, God's children.

There is something beautifully excessive about a love that says, "Before you love me I will love you more." I believe we can use more exces­sive lovers!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

WHO'S YOUR BEST FRIEND IN LIFE?

Plastic robot model kit - “Every survival kit should include a sense of humor”

Former prisoner James Knapp confessed to police that he'd robbed two stores in Oklahoma, because he missed his old cell mates. Police said they'd see if James could be reunited with his old friends.

I think Mr. Knapp may have expressed something important, however. Friends, wherever we find them, are absolutely necessary.

But do you know who your best friend is? Automaker Henry Ford was having lunch with a man, when he suddenly asked the man that very question. "Who is your best friend?" Ford asked.

The man hesitated and Ford went on. "I'll tell you who your best friend is," he said. Then he wrote this sentence for the man to read: "Your best friend is he who brings out the best that is within you." Our best friends are those who do more than simply like us. They also believe in us. They support us but, occasionally, they nudge us as well.

Someone put it well: "A friend is someone who knows you as you are, understands where you've been, accepts who you've become, and still, gently invites you to grow."

Now...who is your best friend?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

GAIN GOLD FOR LIFE

I've been saving up money for the holiday season for the past few months. All that months of skimping on cinema tickets, eating out, clothes, itunes have been tough but totally worth it. Splurging on Christmas gifts have been one of my biggest weaknesses.

For months now, my colleague has been trying to get me to invest in the stock market. Having struck gold investing in choice counters, he has just placed the down payment on a beach front condominium unit. I've always been cautious when it comes to my finances, but there were times when I've been sitting at home watching reruns that i wished that I had the luxury of going out for a nice meal and the cinema.

My uncle suggested that I look into investing in gold. I haven't a slightest clue about what gold investing entails. I have some money in mutual funds, and even then it is because my neighbor needed to meet his quota for a particularly trying month. I just went with what he thought was a conservative enough fund.

I needed some advice on how to go about investing in gold but nobody I know seems to have dabbled in gold before. I had to turn to the internet. I found this helpful website which answers all my questions on how to go about investing in gold.

Hopefully the payoff would be good enough to make sure that I won't have to live like a hermit in the months leading up to the holiday season in a few years' time.

YA GOTTA LET GO IN LIFE

Open air garage sale stand - “Going to school does not make a person educated, any more than going to a garage makes a person a car”

Miguel de Cervantes, author of DON QUIXOTE, wisely said, "Love not what you are, but what you may become." The problem is ... we may not be crazy about what we are, what we do or even where we're going, but thinking of making that big change is overwhelming. Or scary!

If you are longing for something different, but you are a bit wary of the next step, then consider this:

Life is like a performer on a trapeze. She swings back and forth. And then she encounters another trapeze bar. It is swinging toward her and it is empty. Now she has a decision to make. She may continue to hang onto her present bar, or let go and grasp the new one. But she can't do both! She can't hang onto the old and grasp the new with her other hand. She HAS to decide which she wants!

If she chooses to let go of the past and grasp the future, she finds herself suspended for a moment in mid-air. She has lost her security and has yet to safely grasp the new bar. It is a risk! But a risk worth taking, for the new bar will travel to new places and her life will move forward.

You know what I'm talking about. You have let go of an old job in order to take a new one. You may have to let go of an old relationship before fitting a new one into your life. You have to let go of other priorities on your time or money before grasping than new opportunity you may want.

As Pumba (THE LION KING) says, "Ya gotta put your behind in your past." Then you're ready for whatever comes next!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

STAINLESS FOR LIFE

"It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistltoeing. And hearts will be glowing..."

Stop yourself before you reach out for yet another box of Lindt chocolates for the Secret Santa gift this year! Unless of course, you've been forced to participate in the annual office Secret Santa - in which case, who really cares what the office gossip queen really wants for Christmas.

And for the love of humanity, nobody really knows what to do with a stuffed Rudolph or Santa teddy bear after Christmas. So do your recipient a favor and think outside generic holiday gifts.

I'm Secret Santa for my cousin this year. While he's been dropping not-so-subtle hints about how cool Dissidia: Final Fantasy for the PSP is, I've decided to get something that would outlast the fad of a PSP game. Besides, I'm feeling pretty generous this year.

I've decided to get him (drum roll) a blomus stainless steel firepit! Of all things, why a firepit? Once in a while, he would organize an outdoor feed-the-mozzies night (because he can) and we would have campfire. So what better way to spruce up the next outdoor session than a blomus stainless steel firepit! I mean, have you guys seen a picture of the thing? It's sleek, rustproof and too awesome to give it a pass.

It's either that or a blomus stainless steel fireplace set. But if I get him the fireplace set, he'd be sure to ask why I didn't get him the totally rad blomus stainless steel free standing fireplace instead. Um, yeah. It's more than double the price, if you haven't notice.

Anyway, I've been perfecting my scones lately in hopes of organizing a bi-monthly afternoon tea and scones over at my house. I've decided to get the blomus stainless steel teaset to make jaws drop. And believe me, you, jaws will drop.

THE BLACK BELT FOR LIFE

Garden resting wooden shelter - “What feeling is so nice as a child's hand in yours? So small, so soft and warm, like a kitten huddling in the shelter of your clasp”

A parable tells about a martial artist who kneels before a master sensei in a ceremony to receive the hard-earned Black Belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline.

"Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test," the sensei solemnly tells the young man.

"I'm ready," responds the student, expecting perhaps one more round of sparring.

"You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

"Why, the end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved reward for my hard work."

The master waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. The sensei finally speaks: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

As the student kneels before his master a year later, he is again asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

"It is a symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art," the young man responds.

Again the master waits for more. Still unsatisfied, he says once more: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

A year later the student kneels before his sensei and hears the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

This time he answers, "The Black Belt represents not the end, but the beginning, the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, work and the pursuit of an ever higher standard."

"Yes," says the master. "You are now ready to receive the Black Belt and begin your work."

You may not be hoping for a Black Belt, but you might be at a crucial point. Maybe you're facing a life change, perhaps even a painful one. Or maybe you are awaiting something you have worked hard to attain - graduation, a new job, a promotion, or even retirement.

All wise people see that changes can be new beginnings. Change need not be feared. And neither should we be looking for a permanent resting place, for a full and happy life is never stagnant.

Does the change you face represent, not just an ending, but a new beginning in your life's journey? If so, you may be ready to move forward.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF KINDNESS FOR LIFE

Water puddle caused by leak - “Beware of the little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”

Writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together." But I was not thinking about the golden chain of kindness one day when a dilapidated automobile, possibly held together with glue and wire, parked in front of my house. During those years, we lived in a small town just across the street from the church I served, and travelers in need constantly found their way to our home.

I was growing weary of helping the numerous people who stopped by almost daily. I was frequently awakened in the middle of an otherwise good night's sleep, to get out in the cold and help someone passing through. Once our property was vandalized; once I drove through a blizzard in order to get two people to safety; many times I felt taken for granted by penniless motorists or hitchhikers who did not thank me for help they received and complained that I didn't do more. I hadn't felt a part of a "golden chain of kindness" for awhile and, though I still offered assistance where I could, sometimes I inwardly wished they would just go away.

But on this day, a young man with a week-old beard climbed from the broken-down automobile. He had no money and no food. He asked if I could give him some work and I offered him gasoline and a meal. I told him that if he wanted to work, we'd be pleased if he'd cut the grass, but work wasn't necessary.

Though sweaty and hungry, he worked hard. Because of the afternoon heat, I expected him to give up before the job was completed. But he persisted and, after a long while, he sat wearily down in the shade. I thanked him for his work and gave him the money he needed. Then I offered him a little extra money for a task particularly well done, but he refused. "No sank you," he said in heavily accented speech. I insisted that he take the money but he stood up and once again said, "No sank you. I want to work. Joo keep the money." I tried again and for a third time he protested, shaking his head as he walked away.

I never saw him again. I'm sure I never will. And interestingly, he probably thinks I helped him out that day. But that is not the way it was. I didn't help him, he helped me. He helped me to believe in people again. He helped me to once again WANT to do something for those who are in need. I wish I could thank him for restoring some of my faith in the basic goodness of others and for giving me back a little of the optimism I had lost somewhere along the way. Because of him I once again felt part of a golden chain of kindness that binds us to one another.

I may have fed his body that day. But he fed my soul.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH LIFE

Plastic runners of a model kit - “Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state.”

Italian actor Roberto Benigni has been described as a charming and effusive man who, in his joy over winning the 1998 Academy Award for best actor for his performance in the film "Life Is Beautiful," danced over the tops of chairs and leaped up on stage. With that in mind, listen to what he says on the subject of gratitude: "It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation."

Gratitude with moderation! Doesn't that describe how many of us approach life?

We rarely show gratitude for each miraculous new day.

We wait too long to tell others what they mean to us.

We're more excited about acquiring something new than taking inventory of all we already have.

The word that too often describes our gratitude is "moderate." You know the adage: "In all things, moderation," but I've never heard, "In gratitude, moderation." There should NEVER be moderation in showing gratitude!

Author Sarah Ban Breathnach says, "Every time we remember to say 'thank you,' we experience nothing less than heaven on earth."

Imagine living every day demonstrating gratitude with abandon. Imagine becoming excessive in thanksgiving. Every day would be another episode in your never-ending love affair with life.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THREE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING FOR LIFE

Colorful candies and chocolates for sale - “When you have a rainbow deep down in your heart, your smile will shine bright. You know you're a part of that colorful, magical, feeling you'll find, when you have a rainbow inside.”

A funny story tells about three high school seniors who went to New York for their senior trip. When they arrived in the city, they went immediately to one of the finest hotels and registered for a room. They were assigned a room on the 30th floor.

After settling in, they decided to go see the sights. They toured Manhattan, the Empire State Building, Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty. They finally returned to their hotel utterly exhausted.

When they asked the desk clerk for the key to their room, he said, "I am sorry, the elevators are not running." He told them that they could either wait or use the stairway. The thought of a soft bed was irresistible, so they decided to climb the stairs -- all thirty stories.

One of the boys had an idea. "On the way up, each of us will tell the funniest story we know for ten flights of stairs," he suggested. The other two agreed and started to climb. When they reached the tenth floor, they were still going strong. By the twentieth floor, their legs were rubber and they panted for breath. The steps grew harder to climb and the one whose turn it was to tell a funny story said, "I'm sorry, I'm just too tired to talk."

They trudged on in silence. When they reached the 29th floor, one of them began to laugh. He sat down on the steps and laughed hysterically. Finally, he said to his amazed companions, "I just thought of the funniest thing that could ever happen."

"What is it?" they asked.

He said, "We left the key in the lobby."

Many people feel as if they have lost the key to getting what they want in life -- meaning, happiness, success, peace, security. They have been trudging and toiling at length but feel as if they are locked out of that place they really want to be. They think, "If only I had the key to a whole and happy life!"

That wise and amazing woman Eleanor Roosevelt gave three keys to meaning, happiness, success and peace. "One is that you do whatever comes your way as well as you can," she said. She knew that the key to satisfaction in life is to take pride in whatever you're given to do, regardless how grand or humble the undertaking.

"Another is that you think as little as possible about yourself and as much as possible about other people and about things that are interesting," she continued. Eleanor Roosevelt knew that those who take a genuine interest in the concerns of others and in great ideas lose their desire to worry needlessly about themselves.

"The third is that you receive more joy out of giving joy to others and [that you] should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give," she concluded. She was aware that the key to finding happiness is in giving happiness -- wherever and whenever possible.

These are three keys that should neither be lost nor locked away in a safe place. Learn to use them -- every day -- and you'll open doors to those important and wonderful things that will make your life worth living!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

HOW BIG IS YOUR FRYING PAN IN LIFE?

Building balcony construction - “Little-known fact: When the stock exchange closes, the guy who comes out on the balcony with that big hammer slams it on the head of the person who lost the most money that day”

Are you setting your sights too low?

I heard of a woman who fished all morning and never caught anything. But a man in the next boat was reeling in a fish every time she glanced over. Then, to make matters worse, he kept the small ones and threw the large ones back into the water!

She couldn't stand it any longer. She called over to him, "How come you're throwing the big ones back?"

He answered by holding up a little frying pan.

We may think that is silly but, in our minds, don't we all hold up frying pans? Every time we throw away a big idea, a magnificent dream or an exciting possibility, are we measuring it against a small frying pan?

We talk about making more money or be­coming more successful, but I believe that this con­cept works in other, and sometimes more important areas, as well. We can love more than we ever dreamed possible! We can be happier and live more fully than we ever thought we could! What we can do or become is limited more by the size of the frying pan in our minds than by actual circum­stances.

Author Brian Tracy reminds us that "you are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are." Think big. Dream big. Pray big... and look for big results. It all begins with changing the size of your thinking.

What would happen if you threw away the frying pan you have been using to measure the size of your dreams, and replaced it with a larger one? What would happen if you decided that it may really be possible to have a better relationship with the one you love, or that you actually can be hap­pier and more fulfilled than you are now? What would hap­pen if you decided never to settle for anything less than what you truly want? What if, from now on, you threw the little fish back and kept the big ones?

And what if you decided to begin today?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE IN LIFE

White flower - “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”

How would you rate your level of "Inner Peace"? Enough to stay calm in a den of lions? Enough to get through a good day? Enough for the next five minutes, so long as everybody leaves you alone?

You may need a good case of inner peace, a disease that could leave you stress-free and contented for years to come. A chiropractor named Jeff Rockwell composed a list he calls "Symptoms of Inner Peace." You may have already caught this disease! See how many of these symptoms you exhibit:

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experiences.

2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

3. A loss of interest in judging self.

4. A loss of interest in judging others.

5. A loss of interest in conflict.

6. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

7. A loss of ability to worry (this is a serious symptom).

8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.

10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart.

11. Increasing susceptibility to love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

12. An increasing tendency to let things happen.

Inner peace is a communicable disease that could possibly infect your home or workplace. You may already be showing signs of it and quite possibly be passing it along to others! Rockwell warns: "If you have all or even most of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of PEACE may be so far advanced as to not be treatable."

Have you caught it?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

WAY TO RESULTS FOR LIFE

Crowd of people at the driving school - “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Melodie Hartline relates in Reader's Digest (September, 1996) that in her job as an employee of a jewelry store, she often arranged for engaged couples to have their wedding bands engraved with something special. She once asked a bride-to-be what she would like inscribed inside her fiance's ring.

"We aren't very romantic," she replied. Then she related that they were marrying on her fiance's birthday so he wouldn't forget the date!

Melodie persisted, "Isn't there something you'll want him to remember as he looks inside his ring?"

"There sure is," she said. And that's how "Put it back on!" came to be inscribed inside her husband's ring.

Perhaps she was trying to "help along" her husband's commitment to the relationship.

Catherine, from Scotland, may have wanted to help along her lover's commitment for several decades. And finally, her 68-year-old boyfriend, George, proposed after 44 years of courtship. Why the wait? "He is a bit shy, you know," Catherine said.

At the heart of any meaningful relationship is commitment. Further, commitment is vital to the success of any endeavor. Happy people are committed people. They commit to other people, they commit to themselves, they commit to God, and they commit to their dreams. They know that nothing is possible without firm resolve.

Author Ken Blanchard has said, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses - only results."

What about you? Are you ready for results?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes