Students Of Success

Where do you go to find inspiration? The Internet? The Bible? Magazines or TV shows?

Inspiration is all around, if you know where to look. When your life is chugging along slowly, without much enthusiasm, try these five places to put it back into high gear.

1. The newspaper comic page.

Comics are one of the sweetest treats in life, like a Godiva chocolate for your mind. Reading the comics will not only provide you with much-needed laughter, but it will remind you that simple things can make a big difference. Speak a word of encouragement to someone, give a person a genuine compliment or just tell them you appreciate them. People are starving for kindness and recognition. The comics will remind you that even the simplest act can help lift someone up.

2. Your country’s flag.

No matter what country you live in, millions of patriotic men and women before you made sacrifices so you can enjoy a better life. Every time you see a flag, let it inspire you to vote, conserve energy or resources, or volunteer. Your country will be made stronger for the generations who follow you.

3. Trees and plants.

Plants, and especially large trees, are studies in perseverance. They send out roots and leaves to seek the nutrients and sunlight they need to survive. Let them inspire you to keep trying and searching for whatever you need in life to thrive.

4. Appliances and electronics.

Every man-made device you see in your home or at work started with an idea in someone’s mind. Often it took the inventor years of struggle and development to make his dream a reality. If they succeeded, you can too. Every new idea is attacked by critics and naysayers. But when you look at your car, television, or refrigerator, let these successful products remind you that with enough hard work, dreams do come true.

5. A school building.

When you see a school, think about all the teachers who dedicated their lives to your education. Remember too, that learning is a lifelong process. Curiosity keeps you young, while learning gives you direction. Thanks to the Internet and public libraries, you can become an expert in whatever subject you choose. When you see a school, be inspired to keep learning and creating new opportunities for yourself.

Jack Zavada writes a f.ree inspirational newsletter called Inspire-O-Gram.

In this classic nursery rhym, Mary’s little lamb followed her
everywhere she went, even to shcool one day, but according
to God’s Word, His Lamb didn’t follow anyone, not even His
own mother, but instead He led the way because He was
and still is the Way today.

“But supposing Him to be in the caravan; they traveled on a
day’s journey; and (then) they sought Him (diligently, looking
up and down for Him) among their kinsfolk and
acquaintences.” Lk. 2:44 (Amplified)

At the tender young age of 12, Jesus was already filled with
wisdom, something that takes most of us a life time to
achieve! He was also filled with the grace of God which was
upon Him. This shouldn’t seem so unusual when you stop
and think that Jesus was God in the form of a humble 12
year old boy. This alone made Him one of a kind. He was
not a typical boy of his age. Jesus did not run away to pull a
prank on His parents. Instead, He knew He had business to
attend to out of obedience.

But, nonetheless, His parents who were normal parents like
any of us today, were worried and filled with dread to think
that something might have happened to their young Son.
After three days of looking they finally found Him and much
like any parent today, they were both ecstatic and upset at
the same time. Jesus was found sitting quietly in the court
of the temple listening and asking questions of the
teachers. (Lk. 2:46)

Not only was the young Jesus inquisitive, but everyone who
heard Him were astonished at His intelligence. They did not
realize who He was. His insight and understanding were far
beyond a normal person’s, especially for one so young. (Lk.
2:47)

It was their first reaction to scold Him, but Jesus set them
straight.

“And when they (Joseph and Mary) saw Him, they were
amazed; and His mother said to Him, Child why have You
treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been
anxiously looking for You (distressed and tormented).” Lk.
2:48 (Amplified)

“And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me?
Did you not see and know that it is necessary (as a duty) for
Me to be in My Father’s house and (occupied) about My
Father’s business?” Lk. 2:49 ( Amplified)

Just like many of us still today, His parents didn’t even
comprehend what He was actually saying to them. So many
times we can be face to face with the things of God and still
miss them. But we have no one to blame but ourselves
because God tells us that if we seek Him (diligently) we will
find Him. It’s more than just looking casually for Him, it must
be a serious undertaking on our part. Mary and Joseph
spent 3 of the longest days of their life diligently searching
and seeking after Jesus. They never gave up. And just like
the young Mary and Joseph, even after we find Him, we don’t
always understand what a treasure we found!

At the age of 12, Jesus was already telling them that they did
not have to look for Him…and neither do we. Actually it’s the
other way around.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and
listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and will eat with him, and he (will eat) with
Me.” Rev. 3:20 (Amplified)

As long as we are willing to listen and answer Him, He will
come to us. He makes Himself availble to anyone and
everyone who desires His presence. He promises to be
right there. It’s not a game of hide and seek on His part. He
never was hiding from His parents, they just lost sight of
Him.

Many times we make things alot harder on ourselves than
necessary. God has made finding Him so easily
accessable for all who wish to find Him.

Even John the Baptist, who knew before hand that Jesus
was the Messiah Who was to come still doubted even after
He did show up. In fact John sent two of his disciples to go
to Jesus and ask if He was indeed the One. They weren’t
even sure or if they should continue to look. (Lk. 7:20)

Doubt is a very dangerous roadblock. It will blind us
everytime to the truth that is staring us right in the face.
Doubt cost John his very life in the end.

Jesus’ parents who finally found their Son, noticed that He
was doing His Father’s business and nothing changed
years later when the disciples found Him. He was still doing
His Father’s business. Jesus was then and still is today in
the business of healing and spreading the “Good News” of
the gospel. It’s the best news for anyone who has the ears
to hear it.

“And blessed (happy-with life, joy and satisfaction in God’s
favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions-and be
envied is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt
or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble
(whatever may occur).” Lk. 7:23 (Amplified)

We, who have salvation through the Lamb of God will have
that peace, joy and satisfaction in our lives no matter what
the circumstances may be. It’s because of Mary’s little Lamb
that we have the promise of everlasting life through the Lion
of Judah! (Rev. 5:5)

As humble and quiet as Jesus came to us, He is just as
sure to return with wrath and fury to put an end to all
suffering of mankind once and for all. I don’t know about you,
but I’m happy that Mary’s little Lamb left her side to go about
His Father’s business, which was to save a wretch like me.

Unless we see the cross overshadowing the cradle, we
have lost the real meaning of Christ’s birth.

Vivian Gordon is one of God’s sheep and hears His voice.
Through the Holy Spirit, He leads her in writing inspirational
articles and has called her to teach His Word.

“For this is the Eternal’s promise: `Those who survive the sword shall find grace in the dungeon’” (Jeremiah 31:2 Moffatt). “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…” (Acts 16:25).

It is surprising what verses help us in our needs. The verse from Jeremiah is a promise that in the midst of our withering experience we will find grace for weathering our darkness. I’m not sure what it means historically but, as I meditated on it, I thanked God that He will give grace when most needed, and that He will give us songs in the night.

But how do we find grace in our dungeon of despair or fatigue or circumstances? What possible “grace” can there be in the dark night of our souls, the midnights of our lives? And can we really sing songs in the strange land of affliction (Psalm 37:4), as did Paul and Silas? Yes, we can find grace–dignity–in our circumstances, and we can sing songs in our dungeons, for God has promised that it is exactly when we are in the dungeon that we will receive His compassion, as difficult as that is to believe.

We complain of our circumstances; we think it is impossible to live a believing life in the environment and situation that makes a knot of our heart and life. But frustration can become fruitfulness, and resistance can become resourcefulness. Corrie ten Boom found grace in her dungeon. She shares the horror of her internment in a Nazi concentration camp, Ravensbruck, and watching her beloved sister Betsie die there, in her book, THE HIDING PLACE. Corrie survived the camp, her terrible dungeon, and found strength and grace to bring comfort to millions worldwide. There are very few of us who will ever be called upon to endure what the people of the Holocaust suffered. We have no excuse to lie in our dungeon, not if we believe that all things are possible, even serenity in the midst of what is a humanly hopeless situation.

The foundation for the dungeon experience is established while we are in the Light, and in prayer and study of God’s precious Word. We can’t learn to swim when we are already drowning, so we must secure the anchor before the storm; otherwise, it is too late. I haven’t a doubt that our anchor, our security in our storm, is in God’s Word, for this gives us hope and “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight…And He said, `My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:12-14).

O Father, thank You for Your grace and graciousness in our dungeons of panic! Thank You for giving us Your Word that becomes our song in shadows that overshadow hope. Help us to find grace in Your sight, Father!

Patricia Nordman

This is my new favorite quote. Now to understand it you must know what “go to the hole” means. Go to the hole is a basketball term for going forcefully to the basket to score a goal. It in essence means “Take it to ‘em!”

Vince Carter in considered by many to be the next Michael Jordan. He plays for the Toronto Raptors and is a staple of the evening highlight shows.

A few weeks back his mother was being interviewed on national TV and the interviewer asked her what advice she gave her son.

She replied, “All I tell Vincent (leave it to your mother to call you by your full name on national TV) is to trust the Lord and go to the hole!”

So I got to thinking about that, and it makes so much sense. The confusion for so many people is what responsibility to put in God’s hands and what responsibility to take ourselves.

Some people take everything upon themselves when instead they should be trusting that God is in control and there is no way you can control those things anyway. Those things are better left up to the All-knowing.

I will give you an example from my own life. I speak on a regular basis. I probably give 75 speeches a year. Now, not everybody is going to like what I have to say. I leave those people up to God, because I cannot control people’s reactions to me. But I still go to the hole every time I talk!

On the other hand there are people who just think God is going to do it all for them. Like they will pay their rent because some manila folder is going to fall out of the sky filled with money right before the start of each month. When it doesn’t happen, they wallow “Why does God let this happen?” The answer? “Because you won’t get off your duff and do what you are supposed to do.

It is a balance. There are things God is going to do and there are things you have to do. The key is to understand which is which.

Another saying I like is that we should pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on us!

So what shall I encourage you to do today? What is your charge? The same one Mrs. Carter gives her boy. The same one I give myself - Trust the Lord and go to the hole!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of
Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn
their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and
achieve their dreams.

To see Chris “live” at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on
the subject of Secrets of Influence go to
http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

When in 1996 a local Secondary School opened, the staff decided to create a tradition to prepare Christmas Hampers for those in need. Each advisory class (of around 18 students G9-12) would adopt a family to help out. The students only know how many in the family, ages of the children, and whether they have any food allergies. Every year, 65 –70 hampers are delivered to families. Inside each hamper is a note from the school principal wishing the family a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year. It explains how the hamper was put together by the students and adds (I quote) “ We hope that this hamper will bring you joy at this special time of year as it was put together with much love and care”

What would you think the experience of delivering a hamper would be? In my minds eye I would imagine this scenario… knocking at the door, and seeing the face of the mother light up, excited voices and delighted faces of children gathering at the door to receive the four or five large boxes, all wrapped in Christmas paper being delivered. I would imagine seeing the relief and gratitude on the mothers face, perhaps moist eyes, as she realizes there will be plenty of food to go round this Christmas. She may feel, perhaps, amazement and a little overwhelmed that total strangers would go out of their way to be so generous. Seeing those things would be all the reward those students needed for their selfless giving, and what a memory to have in the impressionable teenage years.

Unfortunately this imagined scene is not reality in the experience of the school. One of the teachers told me one of three things normally happen. When the hampers are delivered (either by the teacher or a trusted Grade 12 student), sometimes there is a thank you, sometimes a terse “put it over there”, and sometimes no one answers the door.

Now I understand that it’s is embarrassing and humbling to receive, and many people find it very difficult, and may not be able to show their appreciation in person. There are other ways to show gratitude and say thank you, a thank you note to the school, a phone call or a letter. Sadly this seldom happens. I was shocked!! The school has probably prepared over 700 hampers since 1996, and seldom received any acknowledgement whatsoever. The teachers reassure the students that the hampers were appreciated, and the school keeps on giving. At this time the students are planning how they can help the victims of the tsunami. The teacher’s comment “The students are amazing!”

There is a well-known saying that it is better to give than receive; I would say that it is also easier to give than receive. I don’t know why it is so hard to show real appreciation when we receive something, but it is not just a cultural or generational problem.

In the gospel of Luke we learn that it was difficult over 2000 years ago.
Leprosy is a terrible disease that eats away at a person’s flesh, and is very contagious. In biblical times there was no cure. To have leprosy meant living outside the town, being ostracized from society, no longer able to live a normal life with your family, maybe never being able to hug your children, only being able to speak to them or see them from a distance. If you had leprosy you had to walk about warning people by ringing a bell and shouting ‘unclean, unclean’ so people would keep away from you. Can you imagine living like that! Jesus met ten of these lepers one day, and told them to show themselves to the priest, as they went they were healed. Not only was the pain and suffering gone, but also it also meant, their life style was to be transformed, they could be reunited with their family, work, and be part of community again. Luke’s account tells us that one of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He THREW himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Luke then added, ‘and he was a Samaritan,’ an enemy of the Israel, who would not know or worship God. Only one out of ten showed gratitude for such a huge life-changing miracle!

We are so blessed by God and by the people around us. Yet in a society, which seeks ‘instant’ satisfaction, it is easy to take many things for granted and not really demonstrate appreciation. We are raised to say ‘thank you’, but so often it comes out of our mouths automatically with out really thinking about how grateful and appreciative we are. Our society has much expectations- good service, to be served, to have meals, to be warm and comfortable in a home, and because we’re used to this kind of life style it’s easy to lose a sense of gratitude and appreciation. Saying thank you is sufficient, and is the right thing to do, yet have you considered how by going out of our way to show appreciation we can bless others and make them feel valued. When we show appreciation, we can make such a difference to someone’s day. A thank you note, a surprise gift, a letter commending good customer service to an employer, or a smile and a word of appreciation to the cashier at the checkout are some of many ways we can show gratitude. Often showing appreciation, a short time after someone has blessed us, touches a person’s heart, as it demonstrates that what he or she did was noticed and appreciated. It costs us so little to take a moment to take someone aside to say thanks, you did a good job, and yet it can mean so much!

Being a thankful people is God’s heart for us. Scripture tells us many times to give thanks, give thanks to God, and also to those around us. To be known as a person who is thankful, showing gratitude and appreciation for all things that we have been given reflects God’s love to the world around us Our life is a gift, our health, all we have, and all the ways that people serve and give to us are gifts, not rights we can demand or expect. Col 2v7 encourages us to be overflowing in thankfulness. Let 2005 be a year when we grow in our thankfulness, and take more time to show others our appreciation for them as individuals, and the things that they do.

Barbara White, a former Principal and teacher, is now president of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings her passion and expertise to work with people to help them grow towards excellence and their unique potential in their personal and professional life. For more information visit her website, http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com and sign up for her free newsletter “Growing Beyond Better”.

barbara@livingbeyondbetter.com

Another perfect sunset seen from Redondo Beach, California. Since arriving here in June I’ve had the pleasure of watching many sunsets while jogging or walking along the Redondo “Strand,” and have yet to tire of the endless beauty of each individual sunset. Each one is stunning, each one is different. While jogging along this evening, watching today’s contribution to my portfolio of California memories, the thought came to me that sunsets are a lot like the day to day activities that challenge our lives.

A Redondo Beach sunset has four major components:

· The sun

· The ocean

· Clouds (or lack of clouds)

· Weather

With this combination we have the ability to put together a different sunset every evening, never repeating the same sunset. Each sunset is very different, leaving a completely different emotion to the sunset participant. In Redondo Beach, the entire waterfront area appears to pause for about 10 minutes each day to watch the sun go down, indulging in explosions of color and emotion that accompany the event. Our business lives show some interesting parallels to sunsets. In my industry, telecommunications, we also have very few basic ingredients supporting business:

Cable and air (wireless)
Electricity
Computers
Software
Packet handlers (routers, switches, modems, etc)

When you think about it, each new company developing and deploying a new telecom-related product is using a combination of the above items – they are just connected and marketed in unique models needed to fulfill requirements a market or industry. Thus, whether you are an Internet Service Provider, a web hosting company, a Voice over Internet provider, or a traditional telephone company, at some point in your business case your product will include all the above components.

Thus it is not magic to understand the technical portions of a telecom business. All telecom and Internet-related companies use the above components – they are just put together and marketed in a different manner.

This also leads me to believe technology is not the discriminating factor in the success or failure of any business. That factor is more a product of understanding your market, developing a product with a well-prepared business plan, And then aggressively executing against your business plan. Technology can never stand alone, and very few successful businesses have ever been built solely around an emerging technology. The technology must be designed to solve a business challenge, or enable a new business model.

We have all gone through the exercise of taking an object, and determining what the purpose of that object may be. A sheet of paper may be a tool for recording written or printed information, it may be the raw material for a paper airplane or origami, just as it might be a tool for cleaning your teeth when you cannot find a pick or floss. The sheet of paper works well for all.

Computers and networks are similar. You ask what a computer is, and the response may be a word processor, or a communications terminal, or an emergency disk backup platform, or even a platform for playing games and entertainment. One computer may accomplish all the above, although the owner of each individual computer may give you a very different answer on how a computer should be used.

An Internet connection may be used primarily by one company for research and business intelligence, while another company may consider the Internet as a delivery system for disaster recovery backup and storage. Again, suitable for both, but very different in application.

Just as a sunset changes every day based on the presentation or conditions of its contributing components, the business must also consider technology as a tool to execute a successful business plan. It is important to first understand the business requirements, and then reach into the technology “tool bag” for the components needed to deliver.

(About the Author – John Savageau is a managing director at CRG-West, responsible for managing operations and architecture for several of the largest telecommunications interconnect facilities in the US, including One Wilshire in Los Angeles)

Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are
saying about you and your life experiences?

How you relate to them? How they relate to you?

Today… I decided to take one of my favorite quotes and see
how it applies to me. You may want to do the same thing.

This quote by Louis L’Amour is one of my favorites…

“Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment,
heredity, and movements and changes in the world about
him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp
to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes
to be. Only the weak blame their parents, their race, their
times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone
has it within his power to say, “This I am today; that I will be
tomorrow.” -Louis L’Amour

I can look back and see how my life was shaped by early
environment, heredity and changes in the world around me.

My life was shaped by my parents, friends, schools,
experiences, injuries, where I lived, moves I made, and
treatment from others, all had an effect on me.

Some experiences affected me deeply. Some of these
emotional feelings remain with me and affected me later in
my life.

There came a time when I realized I control my own reality
with my thinking, imagination, ideas and actions. What I
think about and focus on creates my reality. My thoughts and
imagination cause my actions. So I began to shape my life.
Knowing, I control what I can DO…BE… and HAVE.

That’s when I made the most progress in my life, when my
ambitions and goals came to the surface. I decided what I
wanted to do with my life. Many times these were goals and
dreams I had at an early age.

Sometimes, my early goals and desires faded into the
background, but were still in my memory.

I know people who habitually blame parents, environmment,
race, color, location or anything else they can think of
except… where the blame should be… On them!

No one else is to blame… I take responsibility for the
good and the bad in my life, because, I create my own
reality. It’s a weak person who blames everything on
somebody or something else.

The things I put off are my own fault. I can’t blame others,
or my environment for not taking an action… because, now
I see clearly…

I Create My Own Reality!

My point of power is Now… Today! I can’t change the past.
The present moment is where I can make changes for my
future. My thoughts, imagination, ideas and actions today,
create my reality tomorrow.

I become what I think about all day long. That determines
what I will do, be, and have tomorrow and in the future. I
create it!… I’m responsible for the good and the bad. What I
focus on becomes my reality. That’s true for any and all
areas of my life.

And… I believe it and accept it!

Bill Parks… Computer Consultant, specializing in Filemaker
Pro database design. Publisher of “Information Age
Products Ezine” and “Bill’s Business Boosters Ezine.”
http://www.Build-UR-Business.com And…
http://www.InfoAgePro.com

How many of us couldn’t use a hug on a daily basis———-well, when you get out of bed as part of your daily practice in the morning wrap your arms around yourself and just say “Good Morning—-What a Great Day to be Alive!!!!”

Your goal for the week ——–if you choose to accept it— is
to try to hug at least 10 people per day. You might just start with 5 but see if you can increase it to 10—-it is kind of like working out but instead of developing your physical body you are developing the emotional part of yourself. I do not know anyone who does not enjoy a hug——–it just makes a closer connection on a different level rather than just shaking hands.

When I meet people and they put their hand out, I usually tell them I am a “Hugger” and ask if I can give them a Hug. You will be able to notice how comfortable people are with hugging by the following:

The A-Frame Hug—-

It is the person who will just allow you to

hug from the shoulders, and keeps large spaces

between your bodies—-like the letter “A”.

The Teddy Bear Hug—-

Just a genuine hug that feels relaxed and

comfortable with very little space between

the two people—-like you use to hug your

“Teddy Bear”–it makes you happy and playful.

The Spiritual Hug—–

A hug where you greet each other in a

comfortable manner—breathe deeply

a couple of times to make an

inner connection and then separate.

What type of hugger are you? The more you practice the better you get. Start by hugging yourself and then at least 5 others per day and you will see how great you feel, and probably really make someone’s day by making a connection. Remember———————— “A Hug a Day Keeps The Doctor Away!!!!!”

Fran Buckless has been a coach and educator for over 30 years. She has just started a newsletter, “All About Caring”, on her website http://www.myallaboutcaring.com. Her goal is to remind people that there is someone out there that cares about them and their needs. Fran comes from a spiritual background, and believes in helping others through a variety of ways. If you need a “pick me up” or something that will make you “think”, read one of her articles. She is just like you, and will try to relate some of her experiences knowing that there are others who are going through the same thing. She is also committed to helping you find other people who come from integrity in a variety of fields—–people that you don’t have to search for but can trust. If you like honesty, you will like what she has to write about. She is truly inspirational, and has a bigger heart than anyone I know.