Thought for Today

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do. 
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Interesting Stuff

• Coca-Cola was originally green… It is impossible to lick your elbow… The percentage of Africa that is wilderness is 28%... The percentage of North America that is wilderness is 28%.

• Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair… The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer… Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades--King David; Hearts—Charlemagne; Clubs—Alexander the Great; Diamonds—Julius Caesar.

• 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321; What is the only food that doesn’t spoil? Honey!

•  If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you find the letter “A”? Answer: One thousand

• What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common? All were invented by women!

•  In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase…’Goodnight, sleep tight.’

Thought for Today

Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one-yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one-foot from a winning touchdown.

~Ross Perot

ALL JUST PART OF MY JOB!

by Keith Ready

Recently, a business associate and I went to call on a retail customer, and we experienced one of the real challenges in visiting a very large regional shopping centre that is over 2 kms long, with in excess of 300 shops spread over three shopping levels. How do find a store when you haven't been to this shopping centre for some considerable period of time?

Well when we first arrived at the centre and had parked our car, the first thing we did was look for a centre directory or the customer service desk, but without any success. As we weaved our way past a host of customers and shoppers who all seemed to be well aware of where they were going, out of the crowd appeared one of the shopping centre security officers. He was as you may well expect dressed in a black suit, white shirt and dark tie, with the shopping centre logo emblazoned on his jacket. He was holding a two-way radio hand set with an ear piece and remote microphone in his ear, which obviously allowed him to speak to other security officers working in the centre at that time.

Seizing the opportunity to seek some assistance from someone who would no doubt know where the store was located, I approached him and asked for directions. He smiled at us both and indicated that the store was on the next level, only some 75 metres from where we were standing.

Before we could thank him, he added.

'However, please allow me to show where it is.'

We thanked him, but said that there was no need, as we would now be able to find it with the help of his directions. His immediate reply came as a real surprise to us both.

'No not at all, please follow me, it is not very far and it is all just part of myjob.'

Almost without realising it, we were walking with him and moved onto the travelator that took us to the next level of the shopping centre and the short walk to store. As we walked, he asked how our day had been and then added that it was a very busy day in the centre, mainly because it was school holidays. When we reached the store, we both thanked him for his courtesy and asked for his name.

He replied with a grin on his face, 'my name is Rob and I suppose you could say that it is not such a great name, given the work that I do here as a security officer.'

We both laughed at his zany sense of humour and once again thanked him for his courtesy and great customer service. As he moved away, he replied for the second time, 'it is a pleasure, all just part of my job.'

The visit to our retail customer lasted about 20 minutes and then we head back towards the car park, only this time we were more certain which way we had to go.

As we walked along the shopping mall level we came across the customer service desk which we could not find on our arrival at the shopping centre, so we stopped to speak to the customer service attendant at the counter. We asked if we could speak to the centre manager and was quizzed in a friendly manner about why we wanted to see him - our answer was that we wanted to give some feedback about a positive customer service experience we had just had. Sadly, the centre manager was not available; however, the customer service attendant suggested we could speak to the duty manager in charge of centre security. So we decided that we would go down to the security office located on the loading dock on the first level of the centre.

On arriving at the security office we were greeted by the duty manager who had a very apprehensive look on his face, which we concluded was due to the fact that when similar contact was made with him by members of the public, it was to lodge a complaint of some sort. When we told him we wanted to give some feedback about a great service experience offered by of one of his team members, his face changed to a positive expression as we went on to praise Rob for making our visit to the centre an enjoyable one. We asked him to pass on our thanks to Rob and make sure that the centre manager was made aware of what he had done for us.

As we left the office and walked back to our car, we both discussed the likelihood that our expression of appreciation would make its way back to Rob and to the centre manager. We agreed that whilst it would have been great if the praise was passed on to Rob we realised that he would have no doubt been the recipient of many other expressions of appreciation from other customers just like us, who had experienced Rob's all part of my job attitude to his work. 

Whether other people would have taken the time express their appreciation to his boss as we did - is a matter of speculation, the fact that we did express it to Rob and then to his manager, was all that mattered to us at the time.

There is little doubt in my mind that people like Rob don't walk their talk selectively, it just isn't in their nature to be obligingly beyond expectations to one or two people as he did with us and then not do the same with others. I am sure Rob's job as a security officer is full of daily challenges with lot's of not so good things to deal with, so no doubt doing what he did for us and I am certain many others, is more than likely the part of his job that makes his day just that more enjoyable and rewarding.

There can be nothing better in life than to offer caring and genuine service to others and not expect anything in return, however, I am sure that the praise you receive for a job very well done will never go astray - will it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Inspired by Rob - the dedicated, customer service focused security officer and written by Keith Ready. Keith Ready lives and works in Sydney,Australia and is affectionately known as Mr Inspiration. He is publisher of InspirEmail which provides inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account.

You can visit his website at www.agiftofinspiration.com.au and he can be contacted via e-mail at info@agiftofinspiration.com.au

Thought for Today

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

~Bill Cosby

Thought for Today

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.

~David Brinkley 

Friendship

By Cherri Walston

Friendship is one of the many blessings God has given each one of us. I am so grateful for the lasting friendships I have cultivated through the years. As women, we know that true friendship is a sacred commodity. This is a relationship that is to be cherished and revered for a lifetime. We've experienced friendships that have come and gone because of misunderstandings, differences in lifestyles, spiritual or personal growth. For whatever reasons, they have left a permanent mark on our hearts of what true friendship really is.

I am known to be a very outgoing person and can interact with people from various cultures and backgrounds. I believe this is one of the many gifts God has bestowed upon me. I say this with great humbleness: as a child I was very shy and reserved. During my early years, I longed for friends. I wanted people to accept and like me. Even in high school, I felt like an outcast because I wasn't chosen to be in what I thought was the "In" group.

Consequently, this had a negative affect on my self-esteem. I placed little value on myself. My self-worth was overshadowed by the quantity of relationships versus the quality of true friendships. As I matured, I learned to filter through those relationships that weren't holding me up in the best light. Sometimes that meant I had to light the path on my own.

Self Acceptance our elite, and not so elite, society would have you believe that it is about who you know or who you are connected to. There is nothing wrong with having well-known friends or being in the circle of connected people. However, it becomes a problem when your self-worth is based on whom you know.

Be you - love you! Wherever you think you aren't in life yet, should never be an indication of where you are headed. Accept your shortcomings, mistakes; accept that some people won't like you and some you don't need to be connected to anyway. You can receive all the accolades you can stand, but until you can accept and love yourself, they are only a clanging cymbal.

The Key is Quality Not Quantity Networking is one of the hottest concepts in building relationships in the professional and entrepreneurial world. We are taught to meet and connect with as many individuals as we can. Whether it is to find a new career/job, build your business or build future relationships down the road.

When I was starting my career in training and development and my business as a coach, I was meeting people and collecting a lot of business cards. I would have a handful of cards, but no connections that related to myspecific needs. I soon realized that the quantity of cards never measured up to the value of networking. I quickly learned that I needed to position myself where my target audience gathered; a place that supported myvision. Many times that meant a smaller and more intimate gathering.

Isn't it funny how sometimes we enter into relationships the same way? We get sucked into a lot of drama and no substance. Then we scratch our heads trying to figure out how we got ourselves into this situation. You will later realize that sometimes less is more. For me, a quality relationship whether it is personal/professional is one based on character, excellence, and standards I set for my own life. Not perfection, but one of value that adds to not distracts from.

There Is Joy In Being Your Own Best Friend. A true friend is someone who accepts you as you are, feels those fears and anxieties with you, and sees your limitations. A true friend will celebrate you, cry with you, and reason with you for your own good. I can truly say that I have a small, yet valuable set of sister friends who have helped me to be the best I can be. However, I am learning to be my own best friend too.

When I feel like I'm not where I need to be, I smile and remember where I came from. When I fear stepping out of my comfort zone, I feel the fear and say, "go for it girl". And when I am confronted with my limitations, I tell myself to do what I can. A way will be made because God never fails. I find pure joy in laughing at my quirkiness, the silly things I say and do. When you become comfortable with yourself, you'll realize you don't need a crowd to feel good.

Just be YOU!

You are your own best friend!

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cherri Walston, M.S. is a certified Professional Coach, trainer and speaker. She is the president and CEO of The Coach Jazzy, LLC, a coaching practice for women going through some type of transition in their life: career, separation, divorce or a physical challenge, who are committed to cause something new in their life. Cherri coaches women on how to move beyond their limitations to get want they want in life. You can reach her at http//:www.coachcherri.com  or  jazzyc@coachcherri.com

The Magic Of Love

 

Love is like magic

And it always will be.

For love still remains

Life's sweet mystery!!

Love works in ways

That are wondrous and strange

And there's nothing in life

That love cannot change!!

Love can transform

The most commonplace

Into beauty and splendor

And sweetness and grace.

Love is unselfish,

Understanding and kind,

For it sees with its heart

And not with its mind!!

Love is the answer

That everyone seeks...

Love is the language,

That every heart speaks.

Love can't be bought,

It is priceless and free,

Love, like pure magic,

Is life's sweet mystery!!

- Helen Steiner Rice -

Attention! Important! Especially to the ladies we all care about...

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MICHIGAN :

SITUATION..
While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I called the Canton PD and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police advised even before they went out there to check....

"There are several things to be aware of ... gangs and thieves are now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their vehicle and get out of the car.

"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police Department where gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in it....waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned baby.

"Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or grassy (field) area and the person -- woman -- will be dragged into the woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead. If it's a man, they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON!!! DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON 'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.

Oh yea, about the EGGS:
"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD, DO NOT STOP TO CHECK YOUR CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPERS AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY, AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%, AND YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.
THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."

Please talk to your loved ones about this. This is a new tactic being used. Please be safe.

Get started NOW -- SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES TO BE CAREFUL AND BE AWARE OF EVERYTHING AROUND THEM SO AS NOT TO BECOME THE VICTIM.

WARNING # 3:
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not Dialing 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told her to never pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road,but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.

Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called,112 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.

Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature. I tried it on my AT&T phone & it said, "Dialing Emergency Number."
Especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going on to a safe place.

*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about "Dialing, 112"

You may want to send this to every Man, Woman & Youngster you know; it may well save a life.
_______________________________


This applies to ALL 50 states
PLEASE PASS ALONG TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT CAN SAVE A LIFE....

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Thought for Valentine's Day

Love is not blind - it sees more and not less, but because it sees more -  it is willing to see less.

~Will Moss 

Thought for Today

Marriage is not a ritual or an end.
It is a long, intricate,
intimate dance together
and nothing matters more
than your own sense of balance
and your choice of partner.

~Amy Bloom 

THE CHASE

by Tamara Yakovich

My youngest child turned seven months old yesterday. They grow so quickly, don't they? His development is bittersweet, I can't wait for him to reach that next stage, but then again I want him to stay little! He is at that point where he is about to crawl - but can't quite do it yet. That doesn't stop him from moving around and getting where he needs to go though! He scoots around this house as fast as he can, dragging his little body with chubby arms. I love that 'army crawl'!

His favorite adventure the past few days has been 'chasing the bouncy blue ball'. I watched this closely today, and this is what I saw. His whole face lights up as soon as he sees the ball, and 'the chase' is on! He scoots after the ball - almost gets it in his grasp - and it slips away. No matter, he squeals with delight and chases it again. He catches it the next time, rolls over on his back, and holds on tight. He uses both hands and feet to keep the ball where he wants it while he 'hugs and kisses' the ball. He is so happy to have caught it, finally!

Then he lets the ball go, he watches it roll away, perhaps wondering where it will end up, or where it will take him next. He flips himself over and takes off after it again with a big smile on his face. He could do this all day long.

Chase the ball, catch the ball, hold it and play with it joyfully for a while, then watch it roll away once more. Does he get a little frustrated when the ball rolls away for the tenth time? Maybe a little, but he knows that half the fun, maybe even MOST of the fun, is in the chase!

How many times have you 'almost' had your DREAM or your GOAL in your grasp, just to watch it slip away? Do you stop the chase? Do you sit down and give up? Or - like the small child - do you realize that the fun is in 'the chase'? Worse yet - do you 'catch' your dream or your goal and then hold on to it so tightly that you stop moving?

Lessons learned:

1. The FUN is in the chase!

2. If your dream/goal slips away - keep after it - you never know where 'the chase' might take you!

3. Once you have your dream/goal in your grasp - set a new one and start chasing again!

4. Remember - the FUN is in the chase!

Now - go out there and 'squeal with delight' as you chase after your dreams with a smile on your face! If you do it this way, no one will ever know that you don't already have your dreams in your grasp!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Tamara D Yakovich is a single, WAHM to four beautiful children, ages 17, 5, 3 and 7 months. She is an in-home childcare provider by day and 'Spa Girl' by night. She loves all of her 'jobs', but loves being a full-time mommy the most. It is her goal to help women realize their potential and live the lives they love. She intends to reach as many women as possible through her BeautiControl spa business and writing short stories and words of inspiration. She has been a subscriber to MyDailyInsights for couple of years and looks forward to her 'daily dose'! You can contact her attamaras_beauticontrol@yahoo.com

Thought for Today

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.

~George S. Patton

I PLOWED FORWARD

By Michael T. Smith

 

Through the snow and ice-covered windows of our office, I watched a car slide around a corner, swerve and gain control, before moving cautiously down the street. The twin beams of its headlights penetrated the swirling snow, like two lighthouses on a foggy night. Two people, probably from a local bar that closed early, used the pole of a street light for support, as they waited for a gust of wind to subside. When it did, they continued their slippery journey up the sidewalk that climbed the hill beside our building.

 

I turned back to my console. The red LED's of the clock read 11:45 PM. I had a little over an hour before my relief arrived, and I could go home. A blast of wind rattled ice pellets and snow flakes against the window behind me. A plow rumbled by. The wind lifted the snow disturbed by the blade. The flakes spiraled in circles at the back of the plow before being carried off into the frigid night. The flashing lights of the plow disappeared from view. In a few minutes the road was covered with snow again.

 

It had been snowing since the early afternoon. The weatherman said we'd had twelve inches with another six to fall before morning. I stood in front of the window again. The only movement was the snow. Big flakes flew horizontally passed the street lights. "Hey, Mike!"

 

I jumped and turned. It was my relief. "You scared me half to death, Richard."  I started to breath again. "You're early."

 

"I thought you'd want to get out of here. It's getting nasty out there?"

 

"Getting? What do you mean getting? Will I be able to find my car?"

 

"There's a big white lump in the parking lot. I figure that must be it." Helaughed.

 

"Not funny!" I gathered my book and lunch bag, stuffed them into mybackpack. "Thanks for coming in early, Richard. I was ready to spend the night in the lunchroom." I looked out the window again. "This is not going to be a fun drive."

 

I held the railing and waded through the snow covering the steps leading to our building. It was a slope of smooth snow. I placed my feet carefully, let them sink into the snow, and felt for the next step. On the other side of the steps, Richard's tracks were already half filled with snow.

 

A plow had cleaned the parking lot an hour before. At the back of the lot was a large white lump - my Chevrolet Chevette. I opened the door and sat in the driver's seat.  The covering of snow blocked all sound. It was an icy tomb. When I turned the key, I barely heard the engine cough, sputter, and stall. On the third attempt, it started. While it warmed up, I cleaned the snow and ice off my car and cleared away the bank of snow the plow had left in front.

 

Back in the driver's seat, I blew on my hands, and switched on the lights. Itook a deep breath and put the car into drive. My struggled up the hill, tires spinning, out of the parking lot and onto the street.

 

I crawled through the empty city streets - two narrow, snow-covered lanes, where there used to be four. I was alone but for a few taxis, plows and emergency vehicles.

 

Thirty minutes later, I left the city behind and turned onto the Trans-Canada highway, which is the equivalent of an interstate highway in the USA. Back in 1987, that part of the Trans-Canada hadn't been twinned yet. It was only two wide lanes.  The only light came from my own feeble headlights. They did little to penetrate the falling snow. The snow on the highway was untouched. It was obvious, no plow or car had passed through for several hours. I was alone. The snow scraped the bottom of mycar, as I plowed forward. Ahead of me were nothing but swirling flakes of snow. My headlights penetrated only a few car lengths. My only guide were the dark trees that lined the side of the highway and the flat white expanse in front of me. I steered to the center of the highway and used the darkness of the trees as my guide.

 

I gripped the steering wheel with fear. Sweat formed on my face and dripped from my chin. I opened my window and reached out. When mywiper blade came within reach, I grabbed, lifted, and let it slap against the windshield, to beat the caked ice from it.

 

"I should have stayed at the office." I whispered to myself. I switched on the radio. The announcer said the plows had been pulled off the highway until conditions improved. The wind blew the falling snow over the crusted surface like twisting snakes crawling on sand.

 

I plowed forward, keeping a steady pace. If I slowed or stopped, I'd be stuck.  The only thing to do was move forward. I'd made my decision. There was no turning back.

 

In the distance I saw a glow. It was the streetlight above my exit. The swirling snow looked worse in its brightness. I pulled onto my exit, bounced over a buried ridge of ice and snow an earlier plow had created. No cars approached, as I rolled through the stop sign.

 

After more than two hours and twenty miles, I walked through the door, beat the snow from my boots and with shaky hands, poured myself a stiff drink. With my drink in my hand, I sat in my chair, and tried to relax. I'd made a stupid mistake. The roads had been terrible. I shouldn't have left the office. Once I was on that road, there was no turning back. It was an area where help was miles away. If I'd attempted to turn around or even stop, the deep snow would have held me tight.

 

"How many times have I found myself in similar situations?" I asked myself. Iknew the answer - too many times. I'd make a dumb decision, find myself in deep snow, and have no way of turning it around. The only thing to do was plow blindly forward and steer away from the darkness on each side.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael now lives in Caldwell. Idaho with his loving wife Ginny. He works as a project manager in the telecommunications industry during the day. In his spare time, Michael writes stories for a collection to be called, "From MyHeart to Yours." To send Michael a note, email msmith4@nj.rr.com

Thought for Today

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought for Today

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.

~ Groucho Marx