Looking in different perspectives

Everyone will definitely continue to face trials and hardships, but what actually made the difference? The main reason that made the difference is their way of viewing hardship and bad luck. It is their perspective in life that caused the change.

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" - Winston Churchill

"I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work." - Thomas Edison

Imagine what would happen if Thomas Edison decided to give up because he feels that he would fail miserably? What would happen? Well, we would then had been living in the dark for the past 20 century! With that, we do not need any earth hour no more.

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That's difficult or impossible!

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” - Jesse Jackson

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” - Peter T. Mcintyre

If all the world says, 'No!' it is your business to say, 'Yes!' and prove it."

The world says, "No!" in a thousand ways:
"No! You can't do that."
"No! You are wrong."
"No! You are too old."
"No! You are too young."
"No! You are too weak."
"No! It will never work."
"No! You don't have the education."
"No! You don't have the background."
"No! You don't have the money."
"No! It can't be done."

And each "No!" you hear has the potential to erode your confidence bit by bit until you quit altogether. Though the world says, "No!" to you today, will you determine to say, "Yes!" and prove it?

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. Never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.

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Daring Ideas with Burning Desire Wins

“Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“If you wish to win a man over to your ideas, first make him your friend.” - Abraham Lincoln


The following conversation may be able to illustrate this point:

Father: I want you to marry a girl of my choice.
Son: "I will choose my own bride!"
Father: "But the girl is Bill Gate's daughter."
Son: "Well, in that case...ok"

Next Father approaches Bill Gates.
Father: "I have a husband for your daughter."
Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!"
Father: "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank."
Bill Gates: "Ah, in that case...ok"

Finally Father goes to see the president of the World Bank.
Father: "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president."
President: "But I already have more vice-presidents than I need!"
Father: "But this young man is Bill Gate's son-in-law."
President: "Ah, in that case...ok"

Moral: Even If you have nothing, You can get Anything. But your attitude should be positive.

(Source: Internet)

“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” - Napoleon Hill

“Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.”

What we need are ideas, burning desire and good moral as a guide. What do you think?

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Preparing for the New Year

An important part of preparing for the New Year is to review the past year and to learn from it.…

I learned many lessons this year and I know I still have a lot to learn. What about you?

Reflect upon what you did, how you felt, what you liked, what you didn’t and what you learned.

Here are some questions useful for reflection:

What did I learn?
What did I accomplish?
What would I have done differently?
What were the most significant events of the year past?
What did I do right?
What do I feel especially good about?
What was my greatest contribution?
What were my biggest challenges/difficulties?
What am I particularly grateful for?

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." - Bill Vaughan

Do not look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits but rather examine your actions and deeds.

May we find out what matters most so that we can do better in the year to come.

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How to remain in business

“To open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art” - Chinese Proverbs

"In business, doing as much as you can while staying within the limits of your capabilities is the short cut that will take you to the finish line before the rest." - Konosuke Matsushita

“Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves -- to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by our today.” - Stewart B. Johnson

“Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.” - Zig Ziglar

“The success combination in business is: Do what you do better... and Do more of what you do...” - David Joseph Schwartz

I am wondering whether this is applicable to even blogging. What do you think? Please share your wisdom by posting your comments. Thank you.

P.S. I could not switch on my notebook. Schedule to have the motherboard change next week. Thus, I could only do blogging in the office, which I seldom do. I should be able to visit all my friends' blogs again next week.

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Life - The game we should play extremely well

“Life is the only game in which the object of the game is to learn the rules” - Ashleigh Brilliant

Life indeed can be interesting, challenging, and fun. Consider yourself blessed, if you have compelling choices in your life. To move on, you have to make some decisions, experience the consequences, and grow from there.

“Life is like a game of tennis; the player who serves well seldom loses” - Anonymous

“To win you've got to stay in the game.” - Claude M. Bristol

“The way a man plays a game shows some of his character. The way he loses shows all of it.” - Anonymous

A game is a lot more fun and you will keep playing with greater motivation if you expect some difficulties, obstacles and varieties. Likewise, if all of your attempts succeeded the first time or instantly, life can be really boring!

Learn the rules of life well. Be patient and you can be a better player of the game of life. Life is indeed a constant learning experience. Those who truly understand the purpose and meaning of life can have a wonderful fulfilling life.

Photo 1 by QatariyaaH taken from this source
Photo 2 by Telstar Logistics taken from this source

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Don't lose your courage

"Courage is knowing what not to fear." - Plato

Definition of Courage
According to the Oxford dictionary, courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. It is strength in the face of pain or grief.

We do need lots of courage
We need lots of courage to stand up for what’s right when we stand alone. Or to do what’s right despite disapproval. Or even to take risks that are for our own good. Many people dare not ask for further explanation when the question sounds stupid. Indeed, it also takes a lot of courage to admit you don’t know certain thing or don't even know what you’re doing.

Well, what would your life look like if you had absolutely no fear?

Let's take a look at this story:

There was once a man who was suffered from a deadly illness. Knowing that he will die soon, he was the first to join the military when his country was in a battle with the enemy. Hoping to die in battle, he would fight in the front line, exposing himself without any worry for his life. Eventually they won the battle and he was still alive!

His commander was extremely impressed with his bravery which contributed much to the victory, decided to promote and award him with medals of bravery and honor. On the day of presentation, he was looking very down and unhappy. Curious, the commander asked him the reason why and was told of his deadly illness. "How could I let such a brave soldier die?", the commander thought. So the commander hired the best doctor and finally cured the soldier.

But from that day onwards, the once fearless and brave soldier was no longer seen at the front! He would always avoid danger and tried his best to protect his life instead of risking it!

When you remain in your comfort zone, you can be like the soldier eventually holding you back from moving forward. Thus, don't lose your courage to do what is necessary! Break the chain and free yourself.

“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” - Dale Carnegie

"A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward." - Jean Paul Richter

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.

Photo 1 by Carl M. taken from this source
Photo 2 by Photo-Gedden taken from this source

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Exploring and Living Life Fully

“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” - Flora Whittemore

Ever since we are born into this world, we begin to learn about life and how it works by exploring. Curiosity about everything makes us want to learn something new every day. If we get bored, we will automatically look for something to do. That is the way we are. We like to learn new things. We also like to understand things and how they work.

However, many people begin to lose or stop making use of this ability when they had experienced failures or made some mistakes. Have you stop exploring or living?

“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.” - Jiddu Krishnamurti

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” - Helen Keller

Life is meant to be lived fully and we can do that if we set our priorities right and make conscious decisions about how we spend our time. There are doors waiting for you to open and the key is in your hand. It is your life. Think about it!

Photo by ladyphoenixx_1999 taken from this source

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Be the first to say Sorry

"An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything." - Lynn Johnston

Many find it hard to say sorry because they have to admit that they are wrong. However, apologising is essential and the only way to resolve issues.

Be the first to say Sorry. When you realize you've made a mistake, make amends immediately.

Don't be afraid to say "I am sorry." Remember to say sorry when you hurt somebody.

Say 'SORRY' at the right moment. A Sorry at the right time can bridge many misunderstandings. If the other person is still angry, they might not be ready to hear it. Also take note that a mumbled apology may leave you worse off than before.

There are many ways to apologize. Here are some examples:

"I'm sorry I lost your Music CD."
"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"I'm sorry for all I put you through"
"I'm sorry I hurt you. What I did, I regret"

"Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past." - Tryon Edwards

What do you think? Do you have any tips on how to say sorry?

Photo by FUNKYAH taken from this source

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The Challenges that lie ahead

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” - Alan Kay

When I was a young boy, I was a huge fan of both TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Bionic Woman”. What we can imagine we can create and indeed it has become a reality and this technology is now available. That's the Power of Imagination.

A power-line technician, Mitchell who lost both arms to a severe electric shock was the first person that gets a bionic arm.

Take a look at the presentation below where the author believes that Shift Happens.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future.” - Eric Hoffer

“The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future.” - Herbert Spencer

Each of us has a role that requires us to change and become more responsible for shaping our own future. What do you think? Do you agree that Shift happens as set forth by the slide presentation?

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Life's Obstacles

We learn and grow most when we face the most extremes of weather, obstacles, political parties, and points of view. Obstacles are power generators. We should look upon problems and obstacles as test questions or challenges.

Obstacles are those pesky things that hinder us only when we lost sight of our goal. The only sure guard against troubles and obstacles is a long term goal.

"Sometimes things which at the moment may be perceived as obstacles -- and actually be obstacles, difficulties, or drawbacks -- can in the long run result in some good end which would not have occurred if it had not been for the obstacle." - Steve Allen

"Others can stop you temporarily - you are the only one who can do it permanently." - Zig Ziglar

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now.

With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” - Mark Victor Hansen

"It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles." - Claude M. Bristol

Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don't succeed, try another way. For every obstacle there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest mistake is giving up.

Let's learn to consider obstacles as an opportunity to grow stronger and more competent. So keep going regardless of the obstacles.

I would appreciate it very much if you do share how you overcome obstacles.

Photo 1 by Harold Jarche taken from this source
Photo 2 by fazen taken from this source

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The Value of Struggle

Most people think that by having an easy life without difficulties or problems is good. Indeed, who wants a tough life? But what struggle, be it physical or mental is necessary to make us grow stronger in body and mind.

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” - Oprah Winfrey

I am who I am because of the struggle that I had experienced during my younger days. I came from a very poor family. Thus, my parent has to work day and night to meet our daily needs. Without much guidance in the area of education, I did very badly and hence I do not have a good foundation in my education. I only started to do well in my studies when I reach high school. Partly because of this, I always take self-improvement very seriously and know that I need to guide my children in their studies as well.

The bible tell us in Romans 5:3-4

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet

Let's take a look at this story:

A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon.

On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck.

Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

(Source: Internet; Author Unknown)

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. So instead of cursing and swearing, understand that they are part of the making of a better you.

Photo 1 by 小猫王 taken from this source
Photo 2 by iwasteela taken from this source

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Be Tough Enough To Follow Through

I believe tough times are time of filtering where only the fittest remains. During tough times, many might lose their jobs when their company downsize. And making matters worse, job opportunity slow to a crawl so it isn't easy finding a job after losing one. It is then the employer market, where one cannot be anymore choosy.

What many don't realize is that tough times create enormous opportunities for those willing to seize the moment. Check this out: The Benefits of Tough Times

"The most important thing when confronted with adversity is to concentrate on what to do next, not on what has gone wrong" - Tom J. Fatjo

Let's take a look at this story that illustrate this point:

There was once a farmer who owned an old mule. One day the mule fell into his well. As the water was not very deep, the mule did not drown. However, the farmer decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. He then asked his neighbors to help bury the mule in the well.

The mule was frightened at first when shovels of dirt fell on his back. But later, a thought struck him: "if I could shake the dirt off my back and use it as a platform to elevate myself, I would soon be out of the well…" So he kept his cool and bore the painful blows of every shovel of dirt.

And true enough, the mule soon managed to step out of the well, battered and exhausted, but still alive. The dirt that was supposed to kill him turned out to be a lifeline because of the way he handled the situation.

Well, life is like that. If we respond to our problems positively and refuse to panic or wallow in bitterness or self-pity, we will prevail.

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably does not lead anywhere." - F.A. Clark

Tough times are there so you can have a good time later on - and really appreciate it! What do you think?

Photo by Pulpolux !!! taken from this source

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The secret of moving ahead

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” - Mark Twain

“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.” - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“Aim for success and strive for perfection. However, never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.”

“The person who gets ahead is the one who does more than necessary - and keeps doing it”

“To know the road ahead, ask those coming back”

Photo by Piero Sierra taken from this source

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Knowing is not enough!

“It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.” - Zig Ziglar

"All know the way; few actually walk it." - Bodhidharma

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” - Leonardo da Vinci

“Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it.” - Richard Bach

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it." - David Starr Jordan

The Bible tell us in James 1:22-25 (NKJV) -
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

Picture by 1of@kind taken from this source

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Be a gentleman - Speak Softly, Don't Argue!

"After a heated argument on some trivial matter Nancy [Astor] shouted, If I were your wife I would put poison in your coffee! Whereupon Winston [Churchill] answered, And if I were your husband I would drink it." - John Fellows Akers

“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance” - Robert Quillen

“To argue with a man who has renounced his reason is like giving medicine to the dead” - Robert Green Ingersoll

"It isn't smart to argue with a fool; listeners can't tell which is which."

"When you argue with your inferiors, you convince them of only one thing: they are as clever as you." - Irving Layton

When an argument flares up, the wise man quenches it with silence. It takes two to quarrel, but only one to end it. When two men quarrel, he who is first silent, is the greater gentleman.

"Agreements get better results than arguments."

"War will cease when men refuse to fight." - F. Hansen

Photo by nouQraz taken from this source

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Resist Temptation

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” - Oscar Wilde

"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self." - Aristotle

Well, I am not sure whether I could illustrate this point. Anyway, please continue reading...

Don't push the red button
I wonder how many of you really pay attention to this...

“Help me to resist temptation, Lord, especially when I know no one is looking.”

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

The above flash is taken from this Source

Photo by maniacyak taken from this source

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Fear of being too old to succeed

The one constant in our life is change: changing roles, new demands, multiple projects, more responsibility and constantly juggling priorities in the workplace. We are time-starved and work-hurried.

In our rush to reach our goals, many suffer from all kinds of ailments such as high blood pressure, heart-stroke or ulcers. One shouldn't be proud to have these kinds of diseases, sort of a "success symbol" that they are the fast-paced people on the fast-track.

Forget about your age, just set out with your objectives, it may take some time but don't push it or else you may not be able to enjoy the fruit of your labour.

A story to illustrate this point:

Once there was a farmer who was very anxious to see his paddy (rice) plant grow fast and tall. After just sowing the seeds, he would just keep on watching day in and day out to see how much it had grown. By the time the seedlings had grown a couple of inches higher, he could not longer wait anymore and decided to "help" the paddy plants grow faster. Thus one day he pulled each one of the plant taller by an inch or so. You can guess what happened to all the plants the next day. So don't force it.

"Youth and age are not dates in time, but state of mind. Our duty is not to add years to our lives, but to add life to our years..." - Myron J. Taylor

Photo by yoz taken from this source

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Looking for Instant Success?

"A firm foundation is built on growth, not rushing. We need to be patient."

“Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Patience is a virtue.”

"First try seldom wins great success."

Nowadays, most people want instant gratification, instant fame and instant success. Well, what grows fast, fades fast too! There is an old saying, "Easy come and easy go!" Instant success could be temporary only. One must put in effort, time or money to build something that last.

The rush of improving our PageRank and Technorati rank.
Many are trying to improve their PageRank and Technorati rank by employing certain so call shortcuts. Everyone learn fast from each other because everyone wants instant success. Well, I did some research and found that Technorati is not happy about this and has taken some action. Besides, those that employed Link Farm can also be penalized by the search engines.

Make your choice!

What is your view about this?

Photo by arianta taken from this source

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Take the greatest challenge

"Competing in sports has taught me that if I'm not willing to give 120 percent, somebody else will." - Ron Blomberg

The real competition starts after 100 percent.

"There is no challenge more challenging than the challenge to improve yourself." - Michael Staley

"The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success."

“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch - what make you go beyond the norm.”

“Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.” - Bernice Johnson Reagon

Photo by Sheree K taken from this source

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