ACRES OF DIAMONDS IN LIFE

My workstation in office - “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.”

A century ago, Russell Conwell traveled the United States with a speech he called, "Acres of Diamonds." He told of a young man who stud­ied at Yale to become a mining engineer. Upon gradua­tion, "gold fever" struck him and he set off to Cali­fornia to seek his fortune.

Yale had offered him a position as an in­structor, which he turned down. He persuaded his mother to sell their Massachu­setts farm and ac­com­pany him. But the trip was futile as he found no gold and eventually accepted a job in Minne­sota working for a mining company -- at a lower salary than he would have received at Yale.

More interesting is that the man who bought the family farm from the widowed mother was har­vesting potatoes one day. As he slid a heavy bushel through an opening in the stone wall, he noticed a shiny stone. He had it assayed and learned it was native silver. The farm was sitting on a fortune in silver!

Why had the mining engineer, who had un­doubt­edly passed by that same rock and others like it hundreds of times, not discovered the ore? Could it be that he never dreamed a treasure could be found so easily? Was it because he believed that one must go else­where to fulfill a dream?

What we are seeking may be found right where we are! There are certainly times to make life changes, but sometimes we must simply change our thinking. What you seek (happiness, security, fulfillment, challenge) may be at your fingertips, though yet unseen.

There may be hidden potential in your pre­sent job, your current relationships or the loca­tion in which you live. The answers to your dreams may be found at your fingertips if you only believe it is possible. Before making that big life change, look carefully around. You may be sitting on acres of diamonds!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

WHEN SUFFERING VISITS IN LIFE

Waiting at the entrance of the driving school - “The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

One of Canada's most famous physicians was Dr. William Osler. Many stories are told of Dr. Osler, but one of the most revealing comes from World War I.

Friends recalled the day when he was working in one of Britain's military hospitals during the war. He was called out of the wards during his daily rounds to be given an important message; his own son had been killed on the fields of France.

Stunned by the news, he still came back to pick up his rounds. For a long period afterward he was noticeably different. And those who knew him best said that he changed as a physician that day. The cheerful note was gone from his voice and never again did friends hear the tune which he so often whistled as he went from ward to ward.

Though these things never returned, something eventually came to take their place. Everyone noticed a new compassion in his care of the soldiers who each day streamed in from the battlefield. Before, he had the professional concern of the physician, so important to the practice of medicine; now there was an added discernible note of a personal compassion, like that of a father for his son....

Osler was understandably hurt and, like most people who have experienced such losses, he likely became angry. In time, after working through pain and anger, he found a way to integrate the loss into his life. Though he was never the same, he chose not to let his son's death turn him into a bitter and resentful man. Instead, he channeled it into energy and love for others, caring for them as he would care for his own.

Helen Keller wisely said, "The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings. It makes us patient, sensitive, and Godlike. It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

Osler teaches us something about overcoming suffering. It can leave us bitter, or quite surprisingly, it can often leave us better. More patient. More sensitive. More compassionate. And a little more like how God must surely be.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE PILOT SMILED IN LIFE

Vandalized cactus plant - “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”

You might be tossing about in a sea of de­spair. You might even feel as if your life may crash about you and you will never again be healed, whole or happy.

They say Robert Louis Stevenson told the story first. It's worth retelling: It seems a storm caught a seafaring vessel off a rocky coast. The wind and waves threatened to drive the boat to its destruction.

In the midst of the terror, one daring pas­sen­ger, contrary to orders, made his way across the ship. Groping along a passageway, he found the pi­lot house. There he beheld an intriguing sight; the ship's pilot was lashed to his post. Secure against the raging elements, he held the wheel fast, turning the ship, inch by inch, once more out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled.

The daring passenger found his way below deck where other passengers huddled. Encourag­ingly, he said, "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."

There are times we need to hear that. Es­pe­cially when we feel tossed about by a raging storm, it helps to remember that the pilot smiles.

Can you imagine the pilot smiling now?

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE

Commercial shoplot buildings - ““Experts in ancient Greek culture say that people back then didn’t see their thoughts as belonging to them. When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. Apollo was telling them to be brave. Athena was telling them to fall in love.

Now people hear a commercial for sour cream potato chips and rush out to buy, but now they call this free will.

At least the ancient Greeks were being honest.””

Most people report that they do not usually feel confident. But exciting things can happen when we actually believe in ourselves. Here is a man who believed in his own ability even as a boy, and that confidence helped shape his adult life.

At the turn of the last century, a young boy quit school to help with the family expenses. When he was fifteen, he became interested in automobiles and worked in a garage. He subscribed to a correspondence home study course on automobiles and, after a long day in the garage, studied at the kitchen table by lamplight.

When he felt ready, he walked into the Frayer-Miller Automobile Company of Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. Frayer noticed him, he asked, "Well, what do you want?"

"I just thought I'd tell you I'm coming to work here tomorrow morning," the boy replied.

"Oh! Who hired you?"

"Nobody yet, but I'll be on the job in the morning. If I'm not worth anything, you can fire me." (Try that in TODAY'S market!)

Early the next morning the young man returned to the plant. Noticing the floor was thick with metal shavings and accumulated dirt and grease, the boy got a broom and shovel and set to work cleaning the place.

Because of his self-confidence and work ethic, Eddie Rickenbacker's future was predictable. He went on to excel in many fields, including automobile racing, piloting World War 1 planes and founding what was to become one of America's largest airline companies - Eastern Airlines.

There is no magic bullet to instantly become a self-confident person. But it begins with one of the most important relationships in your life - your relationship with yourself. People who become more confident habitually encourage themselves. They become their own best friend.

Rob Bremer asks the question, "If you had a friend who talked to you like you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around with that person?" If the answer is "Yes!" you are on the track to becoming more self-assured.

Without confidence, you are not likely to move far in the direction of your dreams. But become your own best friend and almost anything will be possible.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE EAR-LIDS IN LIFE

Chinese new year decorative girl figure - “You can't ask for what you want unless you know what it is. A lot of people don't know what they want or they want much less than they deserve. First you have figure out what you want. Second, you have to decide that you deserve it. Third, you have to believe you can get it. And, fourth, you have to have the guts to ask for it.”

Patricia Goldman, as vice chairperson of the National Transportation Safety Board, used to tell a story about how poorly airline passengers listen. She says that one flight attendant, who was frustrated by passenger inattentiveness during her what-to-do-in-an-emergency talk, changed the wording. This is what she actually said:

"When the mask drops down in front of you, place it over your naval and continue to breathe normally."

Not a single passenger noticed.

We have eyelids, but we do not have ear-lids. To compensate, we learn to listen selectively – to turn our listening on and off. But if you have ever been listened to, really listened to, you know how powerful that experience is. You can likewise listen more effectively to others by applying these four important listening principles:

* Listen with your eyes. Make eye contact with the speaker. Learn to concentrate on the moment at hand and clear your mind of distractions.
* Listen with your ears. It is impossible to listen when you are speaking.
* Listen with your mind. Let go of preconceived ideas about what you think the speaker is saying. Keep your mind open, even if you suspect you will dislike what you are about to hear.
* Listen with your heart. Be concerned for and genuinely interested in the person to whom you are listening. That will speak louder than anything you actually say.

Listening with your eyes, your ears, your mind and your heart is not only effective, it will create an almost magical bond between you and others that can be achieved in no other way. Dr. Karl Menninger stated, "Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand."

We all need a friend who really listens. And we can all be one.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

NEVER TOO LATE IN LIFE

Action figure toys on display - “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”

Standing at a busy Los Angeles intersection, I once noticed an interesting sight -- a shirtless old man in shorts and jogging shoes running toward me. He was in his seventies, short, with a huge barrel chest. His shoulders were wide and his stomach flat and hard. The skin on his thin arms and legs hung loose. His body glistened with sweat --

he had the appearance of an absolutely committed runner. When he approached the intersection, he continued to jog in place as he waited for the light to change.

I asked him, "Have you been running long?"

He said between breaths, "Today, four hours and twenty minutes."

Wow! Four hours and twenty minutes of running! At his age! He continued, his feet still pounding the concrete, "Some days I run 22 miles. Some days 12 miles."

I asked, "Do you race?"

"Three or four times a year." Maybe he fig­ured he will taper off when he gets old.

I respect his commitment and focus. Be­cause of a total dedication to the sport, he was an excellent runner. And he is living proof that it is never too late to pursue a passion!

Don't we all need something to get excited about? What if we were as focused in our enthusi­asm and dedication? What could we do or become if we were as committed to those things we feel are important as he was to running?

You may build your body, but will you also build your mind? You may improve your social standing, but will you also improve your society? You may grow your bank account, but will you also grow your faith? You may build your business, but will you also build your character? You may heal a broken bone, but will you also heal a broken home? You may leave a will to your children, but will you also leave them a legacy?

It's never too late to pursue your passion.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

WEBHOSTING NEWS FOR LIFE

My neighbor is somewhat of a mild hoarder. Come spring cleaning time, one would be hard pressed to find anything left outside the house for the garbage disposal guys to pick up. As for shelters and the like, he would much rather donate cash than part with his bounty.

One day I got to talking to my neighbor's uncle (we attend the same cooking class every now and then). He suggested setting up a website for my neighbor to catalog and sell some of his stuff. He didn't know much about webhosting and wondered if I could help him with the website hosting bit, while he tries pitch the idea to his nephew.

I of course was more than keen to help, because it would be nice not to risk tripping over one of my neighbor's relics when I pop over to his house to catch a football game when my TV is out.

I set about looking for some web hosting news and completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of articles available touching on web site hosting. One article that caught my attention is How to Use Social Bookmarking to Enhance Search Engine Optimization. That is one fantastic method which I plan to tap into personally.

As for my neighbor, I found the perfect article to kick start his endeavor in to the online world: Creating a Web Site in a Snap.

LEAVING GREAT LEGACIES IN LIFE

Audio video presentation room - “They expect a professional presentation, so they expect to see a ''professional.'' Dress appropriately for the occasion, but don't be one of the crowd.”

Edwin Hubbel Chapin once said, "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity." That is the definition of a legacy. Wouldn't you love to do something that might strike a beautiful chord that will "vibrate in eternity"?

I've discovered something about legacies…generous people leave great legacies. I read about a couple in Canada who stopped to help a motorist who had run out of gasoline. It was a regular occurrence in their part of rural Canada. After they got him on his way, they bought a new fuel can, scratched their initials on it, filled it with petrol and stored it in the trunk of their car.

A few months later they again stopped to assist a stranded motorist. But this time they GAVE him their gas can and told him to fill it up, keep it with him and pass it along to the next motorist he sees who has run out of fuel.

Though they never expected to see their can again, in a couple of years they spotted it being passed along to a grateful motorist on the road. They recognized it several more times over the years, and each time they asked its owner where it had come from. They ascertained that the can had traveled across the continent at least two times!

They never intended to leave a legacy. When they bought the fuel can they never dreamed that their action might strike chords that could vibrate in eternity. But that container may still be traveling around the country!

And it might not seem like a big thing, but many motorists have been saved by the generosity of complete strangers who stop to help. Then each in turn has taken the container, re-filled it, and diligently looked, perhaps for days or weeks, for an opportunity to pass it along. Good will generated by a humble can of fuel has no doubt been multiplied many times in countless ways, striking beautiful chords that vibrate forever.

It's true - generous people leave great legacies. Even that small piece of yourself you generously give away may thrive in surprising ways throughout eternity.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE RIGHT DECISION FOR LIFE

Unboxing external harddisk drive - “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.”

The airline pilot announced over the intercom, "Folks, I've got good news and bad news for you. The bad news is...we're lost. The good news is...we're making great time!"

It's too easy to live our lives like that, isn't it? Always a bit too busy. In a hurry to accomplish the day's tasks. Rushing around...but not clear exactly where we want to ultimately end up.

It's been provocatively said, "Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon." The problem is...they know they would like to accomplish something important with their lives or they would like to make a certain income or they would like to be happy. But when it comes to making the journey toward those destinations, they feel stuck. In short, they are lost.

Author and speaker Danny Cox, in his book SEIZE THE DAY (Career Press, 1994), tells of a man who made a great success of his life in spite of tremendous hardships. The moment that ultimately turned this man's life around was when he sat down and asked himself four important questions:

1) What do I really want? He didn't want to just sleepwalk through life, nor look back someday and feel regret.

2) What will it cost? In time, money and commitment.

3) Am I willing to pay the price?

4) When is the best time to start paying the price?

Answer these four questions and you will be clear on the direction you want to take your life. Commit to these answers and you'll make great time.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

LIVE YOUR LOVE IN LIFE

Plastic model kit runners - “The generations of living things pass in a short time, and like runners hand on the torch of life”

Imagine four Army chaplains during an icy storm at sea; four men in uniform holding hands as they gaze over the rail of their sinking vessel. They are watching lifeboats pulling away from their reel­ing ship, the U.S. transport Dorchester. The story of these chaplains is a remarkable ac­count of love and sacrifice.

The scene takes place February 3, 1943, off the southern tip of Greenland. The winter night covers the ship like a blanket. Most of the 909 aboard ship are asleep below the decks.

Suddenly the Dorchester jerks and shud­ders. A German torpedo has smashed through her star­board side! In a raging torrent, the sea spurts through the gaping wound. The Dorchester has been dealt a mortal blow. She is sinking.

An order is given to abandon ship. Aboard the dying vessel, men -- many of them injured -- search frantically for life jackets. Some stand in shock, not knowing how to react to the catastro­phe.

Amidst the chaos stand four pillars of strength, four Army chaplains:

George L. Fox, Methodist; Alexander Goode, Jewish; Clark V. Poling, Reformed; and John P. Washington, Ro­man Catholic. They calm the panic-stricken, help the confused search for life jackets and aid the soldiers into the lifeboats swinging out from the tilting deck.

When no more jackets can be found, each chaplain takes off his own and straps it onto a sol­dier who has none. The lifeboats pull slowly away from the doomed vessel. Only 299 will fi­nally sur­vive this night.

As the Dorchester slides beneath the icy water, some can see the four chaplains, hand in hand, praying to the God of them all. The chap­lains' different theological opinions did not seem to matter much on a sinking ship. All that mat­tered was that, at a time of crisis, they lived their love. Yet even for us, every day in lesser ways, I suspect that's all that ever matters.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

LET GO OR GET DRAGGED FOR LIFE

Tent setup stalls - “Many divorces are not really the result of irreparable injury but involve, instead, a desire on the part of the man or woman to shatter the setup, start out from scratch alone, and make life work for them all over again. They want the risk of disaster, want to touch bottom, see where bottom is, and, coming up, to breathe the air with relief and relish again.”

The name "Benedict Arnold" is synonymous with "traitor." But he was actually a loyal citizen of what was to become the United States, a gallant soldier and a five-star general. Wounded twice in battle, he was highly respected for his military leadership. He even enjoyed the friendship of George Washington.

But during the Revolutionary War, Arnold saw five subordinates promoted over him, and the blow to his esteem was more than he could manage. The injury to his pride was far greater than those physical injuries he sustained in battle. So he laid plans to get revenge.

In 1780, he attempted to betray vital West Point to the British. He later moved to England and was paid a sum of money to compensate for his property loss, but he was never fully accepted in British society. He eventually returned to trading and died a mostly unsuccessful and unhappy man. His downfall was not greed -- his problem was rather one of jealousy.

Do you know who is the most difficult person to love? It is easy to love friends and not too difficult to love those less fortunate than ourselves. It certainly isn't easy loving enemies, but sometimes the person most difficult to love is the one who is MORE fortunate than we are. The one who receives the promotion we deserved. The one who gets the recognition we desired, the honor we sought or the affections of the lover we had hoped to win. It is easy to resent those who seem to be more fortunate.

But as one person said to me, "Let go, or get dragged. Unless you let things go, you should be prepared to have that thing drag you around until you do let it go." Even envy. Let it go or get dragged.

Besides, if you ever want to grab onto something good, you'll need a free hand.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

LEARN TO LOVE THEM FOR LIFE!

Night view of hotel building - “No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises once again and all shadows are chased away”

Are you ever frustrated with people you care about? Are you more frustrated because it seems as if they just won't change?

A man tried everything he could think of to eradicate the weeds in his lawn. Finally, in desperation, he wrote to the Department of Agriculture, asking advice and listing every method he had tried.

He received a reply back. It said, "We sug­gest you learn to love them!"

The same could be said about marriage and friendship. We may feel exasperated by the faults and idiosyncrasies of others. We believe the rela­tionship would be perfect if only they would change that annoying habit or correct that irritat­ing behav­ior.

So we embark on a campaign to "get rid of the weeds" - to get someone we care about to change. We may nag and cajole and plead and bribe. And in the end, we feel frustrated because they are still the same!

The truth is, we cannot, and should not, at­tempt to eradicate the "weeds" we find in others' lives. We can never change others. They can change, but we can't change them. The will to change must come from within themselves. Rather, our task is simply to learn to love them, weeds and all.

Isn't this the way we want them to treat us? And besides, like a lovely garden, they become more attractive to us when we are not focused on the weeds. We might even be­gin to enjoy them so much that we remember what drew us to them in the first place!

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE APPLAUSE THAT REFRESHES IN LIFE

There is no turning back now - “If you love something let it go free. If it doesn't come back, you never had it. If it comes back, love it forever.”

"Do you think my hair is soft and shiny?" Jessica asked Josh one moonlit evening.

Josh answered, "Yep."

"And are my eyes bright and beautiful?" she continued.

"Yep," he replied.

After a few minutes Jessica forged ahead, "Josh, do you think my skin is smooth and clear?"

"Yep."

At this, Jessica smiled brightly and declared, "Oh, Josh, you say the sweetest things!"

Lucky for Josh, he got a little help!

No relationship can be built on flattery, but sincere compliments smooth over many rough edges. A thoughtful compliment is a way of saying, "I care enough to notice." Even relationships that are not romantic in nature will benefit from well-placed compliments.

Granted, some people feel suspicious, embarrassed, or defensive when complimented. They sometimes suspect that fine words might be part of a manipulative design. And quite often, people respond to compliments with mixed emotions rather than plain gratitude, primarily because they find the sincerity behind them suspect.

But most often, sincere encouragement can bolster self-confidence and cement friendships. In love relationships, thoughtful compliments can help keep the fires of romance burning vigorously.

One marriage counselor says, 'Compliment your spouse at least once every day." He cautions against flattery by adding, "It should be sincere. Then point out something new you appreciate about him or her every week. Make sure it is something you have never mentioned before. You'll be surprised at what it does for your marriage."

Sincere compliments cost nothing and can accomplish so much. In ANY relationship, they are the applause that refreshes.

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE BROADCASTING STATION FOR LIFE

Entrance arc to botanical garden - “Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.”

George Washington Carver observed, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." But it is sometimes hard to hear the message when it is broadcast by equipment that is dirty, corroded and abused. Carver was born 150 years ago, before we used terms like toxic waste, air pollution, global warming and deforestation. Today, we have figured out that we need to take good care of the broadcasting station if we are to hear what the Divine is saying.

This is a beautiful and fragile planet we live on. As much as we can fall in love with magnificent sunsets and pristine landscapes, few people have ever experienced its beauty as acutely as those who've seen it from afar.

Senator Jake Garn was one of those privileged people. He observed earth aboard Discovery Space Shuttle and wrote of that experience in "Parade Magazine" (11-3-85). "I know now what if feels like to be out of this world," he said. "The experience is exhilarating, breathtaking, awesome. No. Those words aren't strong enough; space flight is indescribable." Listen to these words from his space diary:

"I was overcome by the beauty of the earth below. I don't think the words exist to convey what it's like to see the earth from space. The curve of the earth, the swirling eddies, the patterns of clouds marbling the surface above the brilliantly blue color of the water and the blue-green of the land…the sheer beauty of the earth and the excitement of being in a position to see it made this the greatest experience of my life. Using binoculars, I once counted 22 discernible layers of blue in the band of sunrise color that would be seen from earth simply as blue…"

This is indeed a beautiful and fragile planet. But it's changing. And we humans are the cause of much of it. George Burns once quipped, "I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." All right, he lived to be 100, but we can bring those days of clean air back. We can live simply and responsibly. We can walk gently upon the face of the earth.

And with our broadcasting station once again in good order, I think I know what we'll hear God saying: "Thank you."

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes

THE POWER OF TOGETHER IN LIFE

A crowd of people - “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.”

The poet Rupert Brooke set out to travel by boat from England to America. Everyone on deck had someone there to see him or her off - everyone except him. Rupert Brooke felt lonely, terribly lonely. Watching the hugging and kissing and good-byes, he wished he had someone to miss him.

The poet saw a youngster and asked his name. "William," the boy answered.

"William," he asked, "would you like to earn a few shillings?"

"Sure I would! What do I have to do?"

"Just wave to me as I leave," the lonely man instructed.

It is said that money can't buy love, but for six shillings young William waved to Rupert Brooke as the boat pulled out. The poet writes, "Some people smiled and some cried, some waved white handkerchiefs and some waved straw hats. And I? I had William, who waved at me with his red bandana for six shillings and kept me from feeling completely alone."

We are all lonely at times. But here was a man who was strong enough to admit his loneliness. One psychotherapist says that a necessary first step toward coping with loneliness is for people to feel free simply admitting they are lonely. For once we recognize it, then we can do something about it.

What can we do? Reach out to friends and family. Too many people are lonely because they have been building walls instead of bridges.

We can also find others who may be lonely and help fill their emptiness. The world is full of them. Mother Teresa used to describe loneliness as "the biggest disease" of our time. And the loneliest do not all reside in nursing homes, nor do they all live by themselves.

Finally, we can recognize that, spiritually, we are not alone. This is a time for us to dig deep into our spiritual being.

Lily Tomlin quipped, "We're all in this alone." But, of course, that isn't true. And great joy comes from discovering the power in the word "together."

From Lifesupport.

Lifesigns Life Quotes