What's your dream?

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

- Henry David Thoreau

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." -- Lou Holtz

It's gonna be a great day

I've listened to talk radio for years. Recently I read a book from career expert Dan Miller where he talked about the morning being the rudder of the day. It made me think about the talk show hosts I spent my morning drive with. Now, instead of listening to snarky, cynical talk radio hosts and argumentative callers, I sutstitute their shows for podcasts of more positive content, uploaded from iTunes or various websites. Among my favorites are Focus on the Family and Key Life, with Scott Brown. I also get a chuckle from Garrison Keillor recounting the latest "News from Lake Wobegon." It's not hard to find these gems for free on the Internet. I just fill up my mp3 player and take it along in the car.

I can always catch the latest news later on, but I've found that, in the morning, when facing a challenging day of work, it's best to start with something inspirational, or to have a laugh at a lighthearted story. It gets me off to a great start!

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given.” -- Mother Teresa

"You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars. Enthusiasm is the spark in your eye, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of your will and your energy to execute your ideas. Enthusiasts are fighters, they have fortitude, they have staying qualities. Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress! With it, there is accomplishment. Without it, there are only alibis."

- Henry Ford

Keeping up with who?

One day I was riding along in my van and a message on a Christian radio program hit me with a really profound thought.

"Comparison destroys contentment."

- John McArthur

Have you counted your blessings today?

Where the gulls are

Troubled?

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change. And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

- Psalm 46: 1-7

It's not about you

"It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses."

- Dag Hammarskjold

"There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we were born and the day we discover why."

-- William Barclay

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain

Pause and drink in the world around you

I feel the most alive whenever I'm out in nature. I often take my camera along to capture sights worth remembering. This is a stream in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area near Caesar's Head in Upstate South Carolina. A solitary campsite sits along the stream bank this day. I can imagine sleeping to the soothing sound of the water.

"Positive people give energy - negative people take energy."

Words to live by

"Nobody can make you inferior without your consent."

- Eleanor Roosevelt