Thanksgiving No. 2 If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get. (Frank A. Clark, 19th-20th century congressman) For many people emotions are a constant up-and-down experience. Their feelings are most often...
Thanksgiving No. 1 I am grateful for what I am and have. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century essayist) Lawrence Welk, the late orchestra director said, “Over and over I marvel at the blessings of my life: Each year has grown better than the last.” Life is not always...
Self-control Discipline yourself and others won’t need to. If you lose self-control everything will fail. (John Wooden, Hall-of-Fame coach) Wooden was known, not only for his skills as a basketball player and coach, but for his practical, down-to-earth lessons. He...
Thinking A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. (William James, 19th-20th century psychologist) One of the dangers in talking with, reading after, or watching the news from people you mostly agree with is that...
Leadership Leadership is never just about title or position. It's about trust and influence. (Craig Croeschel, pastor) Some folks are climbing the corporate ladder, hoping to be the CEO or COO. Perhaps they’re dissatisfied with the present leadership, and they just...
Understanding People fear that which they do not understand. (Robert Soto, cross-cultural worker) As a Native American leader, Soto has encountered a lot of misunderstanding—on all sides—and a lot of the resulting fears. The history of the government’s relationships...
Hard Work No. 2 If we fall, we don’t need self-recrimination or blame or anger — we need a reawakening of our intention… (Sharon Salzberg, best-selling author) Salzberg continues, “...and a willingness to recommit, to be wholehearted once again.” Each decision we...
Hard Work No. 1 Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. President) Do you sometimes wonder if this is understood by the younger generation? It seems increasingly difficult to...
Yes or No [Stop] saying yes when you mean no. (Gene Chizik, football coach) This was one of five things Coach Chizik said, “You need to stop NOW.” Have you ever agreed to something you really didn’t want to do? You wanted to say no, but you said yes—and regretted it....
Others Any value system worth having is focused on others, not self. (Michael Lockstampfor, minister) The desire for success seems almost to be inherent. Most of us want to do our best, to climb up in our profession or activity, and to win. Sometimes that ambition may...
Comparisons As long as we measure ourselves according to the guy down the street, we can come off pretty good. (Randy Smith, professor) Have you ever compared yourself and your accomplishments with someone else? We feel bad—even jealous—when they’re doing better than...
Judging Others We tend to be very good lawyers when it comes to our own mistakes, but very good judges when it comes to the mistakes of others. (Tullian Tchividjian, author, speaker) It’s easy to defend your mistakes, to rationalize your own failures, isn’t it? We...