October 12, 2010

Helen Keller

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“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
 

Helen Keller

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Helen Keller was not born blind and deaf; it was not until she was 19 months old that she contracted an illness described by doctors as “an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain”, which might have been scarlet fever or meningitis. The illness did not last for a particularly long time, but it left her deaf and blind.

For the rest of her life, she has learned many lessons even with what most of us would consider severe handicaps.

 

October 9, 2010

Thanksgiving

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“Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends”

Courtland Milloy

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October 8, 2010

The Social Network

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Talk is cheap!

It’s not that we want to yap all the time, it’s just that it’s so much easier to yap than to work.

When I find myself yapping and not doing, I try to remember that with just a little more focus and concentration, I can move forward instead of thinkin’ about progress or talkin’ about why others are not moving forward.

Yes the choice is to do or talk about doing. Create or critique.

Recently , the movie The Social Network (apparently this movie is more a fiction than reality) shows an example of some people yapping and other people doing.

 Let me give you an example…

Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss , identical twins and members of Harvard’s rowing team, and their business partner Divya Narendra have an idea of creating the Harvard Connection, this is the idea, it is not the execution of the idea. This is the thinking and the yapping. Mark Zuckerberg is definitely the doer in this project and while his best friend, Eduardo Saverin  takes the risk of lending some money for the Facebook project, Mark is the one doing the coding and strategic planning side of the business.  Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss are yapping and becoming very frustrated, but since they cannot execute themselves, and even if they had the good idea, they have no legitimate right on the new venture, note that I didn’t say legal right; I said legitimate right.

Sean Parker eventually becomes involved in the project and he acts as a doer as long as he bring some value, in his case, it is to get the venture capitalists to invest their cash in the dream. As long as he does that, he is “in the doing” because he brings a value that nobody else in the team can supply. But when he over-indulges in partying, drugs and sex scandals, he doesn’t bring value to the team project anymore.

The only one who keeps bringing value is Mark; the reason is not because he’s doing most of the coding, it’s because his heart and soul are linked to the dream.

So Mark is doing while the others are yapping…and guess who is getting the biggest reward?

 

October 7, 2010

Dare to dream the impossible.

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“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim and have fixed their gaze on a goal that is high; one that sometimes seems impossible.”
 Orison Swett Marden
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The chinese people have a proverb that goes like this;
“A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a first step”
There is a lot of controversy about this confucean proverb but it really doesn’t matter because the principle remains the same.
We have to actually start doing something to get somewhere. I believe that when we start something and persevere, there is a conspiracy in the universe to make us succeed. I can’t explain it ,I can’t prove it , I only witness it over and over again in the lives of many people for whom the odds were against them.
Sometimes we just need a kick in the right place to get started, and keep persevering when the obstacles will appear in our way.
 

October 6, 2010

The hourglass of our life.

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“The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.”

Jean Paul.

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October 6, 2010

Two hundred billion of hours wasted?

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According to internet guru Clay Shirky, Americans watch roughly two hundred billion hours (200 000 000 000) of TV every year. That represents about 2000 Wikipedias’ projects worth of free time annually assuming that it took one hundred  million hours (100 000 000) of human thought to build it.

( Source, Cognitive Surplus, by Clay Shirky, 2010, The Penguin Press).

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If we could recuperate only half of these hours doing something more useful for our society, we would recuperate 28,6 billion days.

What do you think?

 

October 6, 2010

Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow

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The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it finally arrives, it is called today. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow. The question is what did we do with its opportunity? All too often we will waste tomorrow as we wasted yesterday, and as we are wasting today. All that could have been accomplished can easily elude us, despite our intentions, until we inevitably discover that the things that might have been have slipped from our embrace a single, unused day at a time.

Each of us must pause frequently to remind ourselves that the clock is ticking. The same clock that began to tick from the moment we drew our first breath will also someday cease.

Time is the great equalizer of all mankind. It has taken away the best and the worst of us without regard for either. Time offers opportunity but demands a sense of urgency.

When the game of life is finally over, there is no second chance to correct our errors. The clock that is ticking away the moments of our lives does not care about winners and losers. It does not care about who succeeds or who fails. It does not care about excuses, fairness or equality. The only essential issue is how we played the game.

Regardless of a person’s current age, there is a sense of urgency that should drive them into action now—this very moment. We should be constantly aware of the value of each and every moment of our lives—moments that seem so insignificant that their loss often goes unnoticed.

We still have all the time we need. We still have lots of chances, lots of opportunities, lots of years to show what we can do. For most of us, there will be a tomorrow, a next week, a next month, and a next year. But unless we develop a sense of urgency, those brief windows of time will be sadly wasted, as were the weeks and months and years before them. There isn’t an endless supply!

So, as you think of your dreams and goals of your future tomorrow, begin today to take those very important first steps to making them all come to life.

Jim Rohn

 

October 5, 2010

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW.

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YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
 
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.

Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
 
One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,

Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.

Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.

We cannot undo a single act we performed.

We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.
 
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.

With its possible adversities, Its burdens,

Its large promise and poor performance.

Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.

Tomorrow’s Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,

but it will rise.

Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This just leaves only one day . . . Today.

 
Any person can fight the battles of just one day.

It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity’s -

yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.

It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday

and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore live but one day at a time.
 
Author Unknown
 

October 5, 2010

Life is in the living

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“Life, we learn too late, is in the living, the tissue of every day and hour.” 

Stephen Butler Leacock

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But it’s never too late to wake up.

 

October 5, 2010

Do you try to avoid criticism?

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“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
 

Elbert Hubbard

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Try to remember that we never made any statue to honor Critics.

 

October 4, 2010

What is our most valuable possession?

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“Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions.”

John Randolph

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If this is true, why do we still waste so much of it in so many ways?

 

 

October 4, 2010

A message from an old friend, Daniel Laporte.

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This is a message that I picked up from my Facebook wall recently. An old friend from high school, Daniel Laporte gave me the authorization to post it on my blog. After living many years in Paris and New York city, Daniel is leaving this time to Moscow for another great life adventure. The reason why I post this message is because, Daniel, in my opinion, is a living example of someone who lives each day to the fullest and this is the spirit of the message of my daily posts.

Here is Daniel’s message that was on Facebook this morning;

“As I’m waiting for my plane to bring me to a new life… I feel very excited and at the same time scared from the unknown that lies ahead! This is a state I am truly grateful to be in… Getting out of your comfort zone is an amazing way to discover yourself… Love to all!”

Daniel Laporte , Architect

Thank you Daniel for being who you are.

Good luck to my old friend and his wonderful spirit of adventure.

 

October 4, 2010

Invest quality time with…yourself

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” All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone. “

Blaise Pascal

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While others are filling their time with entertainment and escapism,   people who are aware of the value of their time are studying and improving their craft. Having more knowledge, data, background and intelligence will always give you the upper hand in any situation.

 

October 4, 2010

Do you feel stressed out?

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“When you find yourself stressed out, ask yourself this question: Will this matter five years from now?

If yes, then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go.”

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October 2, 2010

Is anyone trying to belittle your ambitions?

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“ 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 (1835–1910) 
American humorist and writer 

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Whenever someone is trying to discourage you by saying you are crazy, do not believe them!

For when they say you are crazy, there is a real possibility that you are on something reaaaalllly good.

Did you know that some critics said that Wayne Gretzky was too small and too slow to make it in the NHL. But, by the end of his 24 year career as a player, “The Great One” had amassed 60 records, including the record of the most goals : 894 in 1 487 games.

Oh by the way, does anyone remember the names of the critics?

Drama coaches told Lucille Ball she had “no talent for acting”. But she refused to give up a dream and became one of America’s beloved stars of her generation.

Who were those drama coaches again?

Trust your instincts and follow your heart!

 

October 2, 2010

Wisdom from The Chamber of Secrets

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“It is our choices … that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

 J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets)

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All the abilities and talents in the world will not bring us anything if there is no action.

Action involves choices.

With choices come risks, and with risks come uncertainty.

But who can live a life without any risk?

 

October 1, 2010

Live with intention

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Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

Mary Anne Radmacher

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October 1, 2010

Dreams of the future.

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“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

 Thomas Jefferson

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It is always better to think in terms of possibilities instead of regrets.

 

September 30, 2010

Is your life full of adventure?

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“Adventure is a state of mind – and spirit. It comes with faith, for with complete faith, there is no fear of what faces you in life or death.”

Jacqueline Cochran, aviator

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When we fly or board a plane, it is really an act of faith because if just one thing goes wrong at 10, 20 or 30 000 feet… and that’s the end of us. But what an adventure it is to take off and relinquish control over our destiny. I like every minute of this state of mind. We can experience a similar feeling on a roller coaster ride, in a hot-air balloon or with skydiving.

These are one of the ways to live life to the fullest among many more.

Do you like to give up control over your life and experience an intense feeling of adventure?

 

 

September 28, 2010

This is a scary one.

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“Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.”

 Charles Swindoll

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Some days, I observe the behaviour of my children and I really don’t like what I see…

The real trouble is that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. But isn’t it easier to look

the other way and get busy with other things? Yah right…

We should really invest more time with our children, I will…

 

 

September 27, 2010

The secret of Nature is patience

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“Adopt the pace of Nature; her secret is patience”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Nature will eventually fix everything… even if we  are not here anymore… especially if we are not here anymore.

 

September 27, 2010

Who will be at your funeral?

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Don’t you think we’re taking this whole Social Media thing a bit too seriously?

Who wants to be on their deathbed  and say” I wish I had more Twitter followers.”

How many Facebook “friends” and Linked In “professional contacts” will attend your funeral?

When my wife wants to get my attention, she asks me; “who will be sitting in the front row at your funeral.”    “Your iPhone, your iPad , your laptop?”

Don’t get me wrong! These are great tools of communication, but how much is too much?

Let’s try to put things in perspective.

My passion or obsession is with time and I wonder, if recently, I have been overindulging and over- investing my very limited time on those platforms.

Let’s put down all our latest gadgets and gizmos, let’s play with our kids, let’s spend time with our wives and husbands, girlfriends or boyfriends while we can.

 

September 25, 2010

Wisdom from a Holocaust Survivor.

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“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

Corrie ten Boom

Holocaust survivor

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It’s not how long we live that is important, it’s the difference we make in this world.

 

September 25, 2010

Road to happiness

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“The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it put your whole soul into it – every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.”John D. Rockefeller,
Industrialist
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Here is a link of an interesting TED conference…
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September 24, 2010

Great week end to all of you.

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“Some days are simply meant for playing.”

Let today be a day to take life less seriously. Kick back, smile, laugh, watch the busyness of the world from a quiet corner and find humor in everything around you.

Have a great week end everyone!

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September 23, 2010

The secret of life.

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“I think I’ve discovered the secret of life; you just hang around until you get used to it.” 

Charles Schulz

American cartoonist ( Creator of Peanuts)

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September 23, 2010

The art of procrastination

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“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday”

Don Marquis

Humorist

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September 22, 2010

Are You Still Learning Every Day?

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“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. One of the greatest things in life is to keep your mind young.”

Henry Ford

Industrialist

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Not a bad quote for a so-called uneducated man…

 

September 22, 2010

Be prepared is the Boy Scout motto.

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BE PREPARED… The Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” is good advice for all of us; regardless our age.    

In a sense, to be prepared, for a Boy Scout, simply means that he is getting ready to deal with whatever happens.  It is exciting that in the process of preparing he is learning how to attain his goals. Most of the goals, at that point, are short-range but if the overall goal is to be an Eagle Scout, he literally is setting a “big” and “long-range” goal. Setting and reaching goals prepares a Scout for life and for whatever endeavour he might choose.   

The athlete must prepare for the upcoming competition and the musician for the next concert.  The habit of preparation is one of the  benefits that come from being a Boy Scout. That’s the reason Scouting is so beneficial in our society today and is especially helpful for young kids.

When we are prepared, we actually save of lot of time, worries and frustrations. Do you remember when you were cramming in school, most of us manage to move up in the school system by cramming before our exams, but do you remember the feeling when you prepare thoroughly before the exam and found it so easy?

It is the same in life, preparation saves us more time than we have to invest most of the time.

So if you want to reduce the stress and frustration in your life, BE PREPARED!

 

September 19, 2010

What would life be without art?

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“Science prolongs life. To consist of what ? Eating, drinking and sleeping? What is the good of living longer if it is only a matter of satisfying the requirements that sustain life?

All this is nothing without the charm of art.”

Sarah Bernhardt

French actress

 

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