Notable Quotes #64

January 21, 2009
Notable Quotes #64

Happy Wednesday!

DISCLAIMER:  This week’s Notable Quotes is politically based.  Please read this post with an open heart and open mind. 

Now for the quotes!

 “A leader is a dealer in hope” 
Napoleon

 “People want to be part of something larger than themselves.
They want to be part of something they’re really proud of, that they’ll fight for, sacrifice for, that they trust.”
Howard Schultz, Starbucks

 “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
Albert Einstein

Wow…What a past couple of days!  I was unable to watch the inauguration live yesterday, but thanks to Dish Network I was able to record and watch it last night.  These quotes just stuck out to me as I was thinking about what to discuss.  I am a person who will always try to give credit where credit is due.  With that being said I must give our President Barack Obama credit.  In my humble opinion he has given hope to this nation.  He has provided many citizens the opportunity to be a part of something larger than themselves.  Not that approval ratings equal success, but not since Reagan has a President entered office with a higher approval rating. 

There are a lot of high expectations being pinned to this man.  Not since FDR and possibly Reagan has a President entered office in the midst of a recession.  Whether or not you voted for President Obama, now is not the time for us to be divided along party lines.  It is a time for us to come together as Americans and find a solution to the situation we find ourselves in.  There will be a time, most likely in the near future, where we will be able to debate our convictions and beliefs, but for the sake of our nation, let’s put aside our differences and work together for a common good.

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #63

January 14, 2009
Notable Quotes #63

Good Afternoon!

It has been a couple of weeks since the last installment of Notable Quotes and I have been asked by various people as to when they are going to start up again…  Well, here they are!  I want to hopefully be the last to wish you all a Happy New Year (2009)!  I have been thinking about what direction these quotes should be headed…I have yet to determine that outcome.  However, my goal(s) for the quotes remain the same; to promote thought and reflection both on an individual level as well as a societal level.  My hope is that the quotes and insights presented stir in you a call for action, whether it be physical action or thought provoking actions.  While the quotes may not always pertain to you or your current situation, my goal is to plant that seed of thought and to nurture it to fruition. 

Now for the quotes!!

 First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus

 When you determine what you want, you have made the most important decision in your life.  You have to know what you want in order to attain it.
Douglas Lurtan

With the start of a new year it gives us a chance for a fresh start.  Many of us may like the idea of having a fresh start but don’t really know what that entails or even where to start.  This is where these quotes some into play.  In order to achieve anything in life we must first decide what it is we want to achieve!  That does sound pretty elementary in thought, but this is an area I struggle with almost on a daily basis.  We often just go through a daily routine, something like this:

• Hit the snooze 3 times, (hoping that we are tricking ourselves into thinking we are stealing a few extra minutes of sleep!)
  Crawl out of bed and make a pot of GO JUICE (Java Roastin’ Coffee!)
• Take a shower
• Down 1st cup of coffee
• Dress for work
• Tell family and/or pets “bye”
• Commute to the office
• Work through the morning
• LUNCH!
• Work through the afternoon
• Commute home
• DINNER!
• Spend time with family
• Watch t.v.
• Go to bed

Do everything the same tomorrow…

Here is a question…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?  WHAT ARE WE DOING?!?  As a nation it has been instilled in us that this is the typical day of a working individual.  If you are a stay-at-home parent the list is different, yet it is the same day in and day out.  In order for us to break free and have a fresh start we need to make sure that everything we do is working toward an ultimate purpose or goal!  We need to first determine what we want before we set out to attain it.  Does a lion wonder aimlessly in the jungle until he is hungry?  NO!  He is always aware of his surroundings and where his food source is so when the time is right he can dine on whatever he desires.  We need to be more like a lion and have a purpose in play at all times. 

Take time this week and weekend and determine what it is that you want.  Verbalize it…Write it down (someplace where you can see it on a daily basis)…Create a POA (Plan of Action) on how to attain it and then…GO AFTER IT!  Don’t go through life like a robot, make each day count!

Until Next Time,
Heath