Never-ending commitment

Studies have shown that a baby falls an average of 240 times before he learns how to walk. Funny thing is that when we become an adult, we call it quits when we fail just once or twice.

“I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.” - Anthony Robbins

"In life, rejection is only a comma, failure a semi-colon. They are not full-stops!"

In order to follow your vision, you have to be committed. When you work toward what you really want, you are far more likely to achieve your goals.

Expect to win and you will win!

You won’t know your limits if you don’t keep trying.

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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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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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Develop Your Will Power

Have you seen the following videos from my Inspiring Videos blog?

• Nick Vujici - Life Without limbs
• A lady married and have baby although without arms
• A small girl skates under 40 cars
• Man who determined to fly

After having seen the above videos, I believe you will agree with me that "Where there's a will, there's a way."

Too many develop every talent except the talent to use all other talents - Will power. In our every day tasks, we need will power to get things done. With it, many could overcome boredom, drudgery and obstacles. The most valuable education is that which trains us to do what should be done, when it should be done, whether we feel like it or not.

"Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear." - Dan Millman

"People do not lack strength; they lack will." - Victor Hugo

"Willpower is the strength of mind to carry out one's goals." - Sandy Anderson

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” - Confucius

An ounce of will power is worth a pound of knowledge. It takes guts to leave ruts. Successful men acquire the will power to make themselves do what success demands. They do the things failures don't like to do or can't make themselves do.

"There are dozens of success traits; but will power is the tool that builds them all. To develop will power or discipline, do one useful thing every day for no other reason than that you don't feel like doing it. In my 40 years of studying psychology, that's the best exercise I've found for developing will power" - the method of Wm. James, Harvard psychologist.

Well, what ways do you employ to strengthen your will power?

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Photo 2 by kool_skatkat 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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Do you know your weakest point?

“You can live a lifetime and, at the end of it, know more about other people than you know about yourself” - Beryl Markham

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” - Mother Teresa

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If a link is broken, the entire chain breaks.”

"Whenever a man falls, it is usually at the point where he thinks he is strong."

"Rudeness, yelling, anger and swearing are a weak man's imitation of strength."

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

Photo by Darwin Bell taken from this source

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Pain and Suffering

"Pain is only valuable once you know that you've learned from it."

"When you rejected any advice, help or guidance - then pain may be your sole guidance in life left for you".

“Pain makes man think. Thought makes man wise. Wisdom makes life endurable.” - John Patrick

“The reward of suffering is experience. Experience is the extract of suffering."

"All experiences are opportunities for us to learn and grow."

“May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism.”

Photo by michael 7601 taken from this source

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Do you know where is your strength?

Many always looking outside for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.” - Robert Kiyosaki

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” - Arnold Schwarzenegger

“He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.” - Lao Tzu

Strength comes from struggle; weakness from ease. Everything that ceases to struggle slowly begins dying. Observe your friends. As soon as they quit working, they begin dying.

Photo by vanessapr taken from this source

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You are the light of the world

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." - Charles Beard

"The darkness that surrounds us cannot hurt us. It is the darkness in your own heart you should fear." - Silvetris

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light." - Mary Dunbar

"Darkness can not drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

"When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God." - Augustine

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." - Aristotle Onassis

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Photo by pbo31 taken from this source

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Develop Good Character

According to C. Watts "Character is doing what's right when nobody's looking."

Abraham Lincoln says: "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

He also said that "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Well, it is true that some people pay so much attention to their reputation that they lose their character.

We ought to guard well our thoughts; they soon become acts. guard well our acts; they soon become habits. guard well our habits; they shape our character, our career, our fortune.

"Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, choice, courage, and determination." - H. Jackson Brown

"When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character." - W. Somerset Maugham

"Personality can open doors; only character can keep them open."

Photo by Old Shoe Woman taken from this source

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Be Flexible

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”

"Goals are a means to an end, not the ultimate purpose of our lives. They are simply a tool to concentrate our focus and move us in a direction. The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." - Anthony Robbins

“Goals are simply tools to focus your energy in positive directions, these can be changed as your priorities change, new one added, and others dropped.”

Let's learn from the nature. Consider how water adapts to its environment: evaporation, condensation, melting, flowing, goes around rocks, fills containers, etc.

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists."

Are you flexible enough?

Photo by marinegirl taken from this source

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Competence Starts with feeling competent

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." - Forbes

It is important to have good self-esteem. Good self-esteem gives you the courage to try new things and the power to believe in yourself. It lets you respect yourself, even when you make mistakes. If you think you're important, you'll be less likely to follow the crowd who might be doing something dumb or dangerous. You value your safety, your feelings, your health - your whole self!

"A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves." - Jean De La Bruyere

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on."

"Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable." - Zig Ziglar

"To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives." - Denis Waitley

"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." - Sam Walton

Photo by athenamat 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?

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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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Handling Criticism Wisely

“A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle, yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded” - Tyne Daly

"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger" - Franklin P. Jones

"Children have more need of models, than of critics." - Joseph Joubert

"Do you have relatives that do nothing but complain and criticize? Don't let them get to you. God gave you two ears so things could go in one ear and out the other. Use them." - Kathy Laurenhue

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

"A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her." - David Brinkley

"No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work." - Mother Teresa

"The way we respond to criticism pretty much depends on the way we respond to praise. If praise humbles us, then criticism will build us up. But if praise inflates us, then criticism will crush us; and both responses lead to our defeat." - Warren W. Wiersbe

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Acquire Good Habits

Guard your habits - bad ones will destroy you. Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with.

Force the habits you consider best for you. Time will make them natural and easy. Most harmful habits are too weak to be noticed until they're too strong to be broken.

Guard against getting into the habit of mere reading. Promote yourself to more doing.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is one of those books that can be helpful in this area.

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