I've been on a bit of a James Allen kick for a while now. These are on my computer desktop:

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.

Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts inevitably bring about right results.

The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream.

The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs.

Dreams are the seedlings of realities.

“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.”

Ray Goforth

I just got this quote e-mailed to me from my boss - HOW COOL IS HE!

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
— Lou Holtz

I Love this Poem



The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
© 1996 Linda Ellis

“It is not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings;
he who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm,
the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause,
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”–Thomas Jefferson

Here's my current favorite -

When I let go of what I am I become what I might be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunlightandshadows I Love this Poem The Dash by Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth And spoke of the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, The cars, the house, the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard; Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider what's true and real And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering that this special dash Might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read With your life's actions to rehash Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent your dash? © 1996 Linda Ellis

Thank you so much for posting this, I have been looking for it for some time. After many major losses, in a very short period of time, I am now truly learning to live in the dash once again.

Thank you again and I hope your day is full of blessings and know that you made someone smile today.

Hugs and Blessings, Sylvia~Mommy to Amazing Angels Joseph and Matthew

"Children are a bit of stardust blown from the hand of God." Author Unknown

Do it - Be it - Live it - Love it!

Paul's quote about candles brought to mind a thought that was shared by the priest celebrating Jonnae's funeral mass. He used the candle and how it has to use itself up to do it's job and provide light as an analogy to Jonnae and all saints. Thanks for all the quotes, especially this last one Paul

A prayer, listed below, gives me strength daily!

The Groundwork for all Happiness is Health

I like this Quote (It's in Swedish so I try to translate it) :

It's not a failure, until you stop trying.


(which means that 'as long as you are still trying, you haven't failed') I think of that quote those days when I over-eat, or skip my workout, or just don't follow my health plan, and I feel like a complete failure. It helps me get back on track again instead of just letting everything go.

"You can lead a horse to water....but a pencil must be LEAD"

- George Moncek (My Dad)

Thought I'd interject some corny humor in here today

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petronella I like this Quote (It's in Swedish so I try to translate it) : It's not a failure, until you stop trying. (which means that 'as long as you are still trying, you haven't failed') I think of that quote those days when I over-eat, or skip my workout, or just don't follow my health plan, and I feel like a complete failure. It helps me get back on track again instead of just letting everything go.

I love this and say this a lot to the people that are new here and feel shame over the fact that they keep trying and never finish a challenge! I just tell them "HEY as long as you are trying you're NOT failing!" Thanks for sharing this! Focus on PROGRESS not perfection!

A Man's Actions defines his being-Jean Paul Sartre

Angels

When Angels sense you need them
And Angels Always do
They come unseen from everywhere
To help and comfort you

They Hover close beside you
Till all your cares are gone
Then some of them may fly away
and take their gentle touch
To Other hearts that need the Love
Of Angels very much

But, one at least stays with you
As your constant friend and guide
For gaurdian Angels never leave
They are always at your side

Free Hugs


"Do you want a hug?" The young man asked Ginny. He held a sign in his hand, "Free Hugs." I looked around. There were other people with him. They held their hand-made signs high. The message was the same on all of them - "Free Hugs!"


"Do you want a free hug?" The young man asked Ginny again.


"Sure!" Ginny smiled and walked up to him. She reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him down to her level, and hugged him with all the love she had in her heart.


They parted. "WOW!" He exclaimed. "That was the best hug I've had all day!"


"I'm a hugger." Ginny smiled at him.


He looked at me. "How about a hug?"


"You got it!" I walked into his open arms. We held briefly and parted.


A young lady walked up and hugged Ginny. She turned to me, opened her arms, and hugged me too.


Ginny and I stepped back and watched the "Free Huggers" work their magic with those who accepted them. They offered hugs to anyone and everyone.


#############


Juan Mann (One Man) returned to Sydney, Australia in 2004, after living in Europe for several years. He was depressed over his parent's divorce. Most of his friends had moved on. It was just him. He sat for months. Alone and depressed, Juan Mann decided to make a difference and reach out. He made a sign that read, "Free Hugs" and stood at the Pitt Street Mall - one of the busiest streets in the center of Sydney. He put his arms around anyone who accepted his offer.


At first, he left his wallet at home, had a friend watch over him, and expected to be ridiculed. After fifteen minutes, a woman approached him. "My dog died today." She said. "It's also the first anniversary of my only daughter's death. I could use a hug."


Juan was quoted as saying, "That first woman, it was more than a hug; it meant something to her."


People joined Mann. They opened their arms to others. His message spread across the city. Afraid of lawsuits, officials banned "Free Hugs". The people revolted. More than 10,000 people signed a petition to allow him to continue his mission.


Shimon Moore, the lead singer of "The Sick Puppies" happened to see Juan. They hugged and became friends. Moore borrowed a video camera and filmed Juan giving hugs. When Mann's grandmother died, Moore put the video together with his band's song called, "All The Same" and posted the video on "YouTube" with the following caption:


"Sometimes, a hug is all we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, a man whose sole purpose mission was to reach out and hug a stranger, to brighten up their lives."


The video was a hit. It spread around the world. Juan has appeared on Oprah and several other major television shows. His idea continues to gain support and grow.


After his first day on Pitt Street, Juan wondered if others were doing the same. He found Amma - The Hugging Saint of India, Jason Hunter in Atlanta, Georgia, and Jayson Littman in New York.


Jayson started his hugging campaign the same year as Juan. They both felt a need to reach out to humanity. A financial analyst in Manhattan, Jayson believed New Yorkers could use a hug. From 2004 through to 2006, he spent one weekend afternoon a month holding his "Free Hugs" sign in his hands and opened his arms to anyone who needed human comfort.


Since then, Jayson's mission has been taken over by others who believe - hugs for all. On the last Saturday afternoon of the month, you'll find them gathered in Union Square in Lower Manhattan. They hold their signs high and offer their open arms to all who need a human touch.


#############


The huggers worked the crowd. Most people ignored them or shook their heads to indicate they were not interested. Those who opened their arms in return, walked away with a smile on their face.


I felt a warmth - a glow - fill my heart. Ginny and I were going through rough times. Money was scarce, bill collectors called on a regular basis. We were stressed and worried, but on that afternoon, for a brief moment, it was all forgotten. It took a simple hug to make everything better.


Michael T. Smith



See Juan Mann and the song about him here:

YouTube - "Free Hugs" New York Festivals Award Winning Commercial

"Obstacles can't stop you.
Problems can't stop you.
Most of all, other people can't stop you.
Only you can stop you."

Jeffrey Gitomer

Paul, wow thanks I enjoyed this so much!