January 2006

PROMISE YOURSELF:

• To be strong, so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind 
• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet
• To make all of your friends feel that there is something good in them
• To look on the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true
• To think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others, as you would be about your own success
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself, that you have no time to criticize others

February 2006

“TAKE TIME”

The following profound statements may help us understand and realize the importance of time, what we do with it, and the effects it has on us, and those around us:

March 2006

“ACCEPTANCE”

• Accept the reality that you cannot do everything.
• Accept the fact that you are still learning.
• We all have the right to make mistakes.
• Success is truly getting up one more time that you fall down.
• There is no failure in trying.
• We must learn to strive for excellence and not perfection because, certainly, none of us are perfect.
• Also look closely. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
• You have the right to change your mind, to redefine your goals, and to change the course when the barriers appear that cannot be navigated.
• We should not waste valuable time and energy on things that are not working, or on things over which we have no control.
• If you cannot change a thing, sometimes it is beneficial to change the way you look at it.
• As an example, have you ever tried to push forward a long, stretched-out length of rope? It simply will not cooperate. It bunches up. But you can look at this problem a different way and discover that you can get the entire rope to move forward if you walk to the far end of the rope and then pull the rope forward. Look at things differently and try for a new approach.

April 2006

“JUST FOR TODAY”

I will live through the next 12 hours and not try to tackle all of life’s problems at once. I will improve my mind. I will learn something useful. I will learn something that requires effort, thought, and concentration. I will be agreeable. I will look my best, speak in a well-modulated voice, be courteous and considerate. I will not find fault with friend, relative, or colleague. I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself. I will have a problem. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two enemies—Hurry & Indecision. I will do a good turn and keep it a secret. I will do two things I don’t want to do, just for the exercise. I will believe in myself. I will give my best to the world and feel confident that the world will give its best to me.

May 2006

“WINNERS AND WHINERS"

A winner says, “Let’s find out.”
A whiner says, “Nobody knows.”

When a winner makes a mistake, he says, “It was my fault.”
When a whiner makes a mistake, he says, “It wasn't my fault.”

A winner makes a commitment.
A whiner makes a promise.

A winner feels responsible for more than his job.
A whiner says “That's not my department.”

A winner says “ There ought to be a better way to do it.”
A whiner says, “That's the way it has always been done.”

A winner paces himself.
A whiner has only two speeds: hysterical and lethargic.

A winner says, “ I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be.
A whiner says, “ I'm not as bad as a lot of other people.”

June 2006

“PLANTING A SPECIAL GARDEN”

• First, Plant Four Rows of Peas:
Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, and Politeness

• Next to Them, Plant Three Rows of Squash:
Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, and Squash Indifference

• Then Five Rows of Lettuce:
Let Us Be Unselfish, Let Us Be Faithful, Let Us Be Loyal,
Let Us Be Truthful, and Let Us Be Respectful

• And No Garden Is Complete Without Turnips:
Turn Up With Enthusiasm, Turn Up With a Smile,
And Turn Up With Determination

July 2006

“SUCCESS”

• Success isn’t measured by riches or fame or by how much you outdo the rest…
• It’s the measure of joy that you bring to your life that determines if it is a success…
• It’s not being better than anyone else, just better than you have ever been…
• You don’t need the answers to everything first…
• All you need is the will to begin…
• You don’t need to climb higher, run faster, soar swifter than anyone else who has ever flown…
• All you need is the wisdom to seek happiness, and the courage to make it your own…

August 2006

“Feedback”

These techniques will help increase the chance that receivers will accept the feedback you deliver:

• Use an “inanimate” approach – act as a mirror, not a judge. As a mirror, you will help people see themselves objectively and without emotion. If you sit in judgment, chances are good that they will get defensive.
• Focus on visible behavior, not supposed mental states or personality. That means you should base your feedback on what you can see, what people do and the effects of their actions, not on what you believe they feel, think or want.
• Restrict feedback to behavior people can do something about.
• Be specific, not general. Example: “you’re dominating” doesn’t say enough to show how someone’s behavior affects others. Instead, say something such as: You seem to miss other’s points, and they feel that if you don’t accept your viewpoint, you’ll attack them.
• Tell people what they can do to change instead of simply saying what they’ve done poorly. Feedback without suggestions on how to improve merely frustrates people and prompts them to defend their actions.

September 2006

“RISK”

• To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
• To weep is to risk appearing Sentimental
• To reach out for another is to risk involvement
• To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
• To place your ideas before a crowd is to risk their loss
• To love is to risk not being loved in return
• To live is to risk dying
• To hope is to risk failure
• But risk must be taken
• Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing
• If you risk nothing and do nothing, you will dull your spirit
• You can avoid pain and suffering but you cannot learn, change, grow, love, and live, without risk

October 2006

“ATTITUDE”

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is, we are in charge of our attitudes.

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can change, is our attitude.

November 2006

24 Things To Remember and One Thing To Never Forget

Your presence is a present to the world. You’re unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings not your troubles. You’ll make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized. Decisions are too important to leave to chance. Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying. The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets. Don’t take things too seriously. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way. Remember that a lot… goes forever. Remember that friendship is a wise investment. Life’s treasures are people-together.

Realize that it’s never too late. Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Have health and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish on a star.

And don’t ever forget… for even a day… how very special you are.

December 2006

“JUST DO IT”

Opt for the very best. Make Choices. Have it your way. These 10 little words are worth repeating: “If it is to be, it is up to me”.

Accentuate the positive. Be like “the little engine that could” who kept repeating, “ I think I can, I think I can, “ until he did.

Lets put our best foot forward as we continue to work toward our goals.

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I hope you have enjoyed the “thoughts” for 2006. I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year that brings to you good health and prosperity during 2007.

Sincere Regards,

Bud