Pessimism is an attitude.

Isn't it incredible how much impact our outlook has on life? I ran across this today....
"Pessimism is a disease. Once people get to thinking negatively, it does something to their mental calculations. soon they are adding only the dismal moments of life, multiplying only the despairing minutes, and recording only the dark moments of the soul.

Pessimism is like a polluted stream. Its aroma lingers over every plan, its path crosses every beautiful possibility, and its contribution to life is always in what it withholds.

Pessimism is an attitude. It is the way people look at things, how they react, how they plan their lives. If they listen to the bad side, and react and plan accordingly, their attitude is pessimistic."

Ain't it the truth. Let's look for the good in our day and others...... see Phillipians 4:8.

Keys to Success

I've been reading a book written by Malcolm Gladwell, called Outliers-The Story of Success. He wrote best sellers like The Tipping Point and Blink. I find him very interesting....
This book gives me hope. He basically is dispelling the myths that only the geniuses, the super talented, or those with great athletic body's have the ability to be truly successful.

He submits that what some interpret as an incredibly gifted person, is really more a matter of opportunity -- whether it's what month that person was born in a given year, or what decade that person was born in the scope of history. They both have an impact on the opportunities provided the individual, which has a greater impact on their success than their abilities or intellect. (Alright, I still have a chance....)

Gladwell also says that there is a common thread that weaves it's way through the background of all the truly successful people he talked with. And that is 10,000 hours. He said that all those people could reflect back to at least 10,000 hours of practice or work exposure on the talent or skill that made them successful. So, if you what to be successful, start today! You only need to break through that 10,000 hour threshold and you are on your way! (For me, it may not be too late to be one of the greatest clarinet players in the world. Let's see now, I played from 4th grade to 11th grade...there's 60 hours of practice....I guess I only need 9,940 more!)

Here's too success! Let's look for the opportunities, practice hard, and believe with God's help, he has great success in store for our lives.

Intimacy of Marriage

Okay, okay, I realize that I need to make up for the neglecting of Valentine's Day. So, I'm going to attach a very romantic, thought provoking video that talks about the beauty of the intimacy of marriage... (Okay, keep the kids away from this one.....)
I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU&feature=PlayList&p=D15C8207D318E32E&index=0&playnext=1

XOXOXO

Ear Hair in Traffic

I know, it's been way too long since I've posted.... I've had company in for a week, my job is getting busier and I'm having "issues" there, and I guess I haven't had any thoughts that I felt were important enough to share with the world.... UNTIL TODAY!

Here's my concern, which was very vividly brought to my attention this morning as I was driving my car in what is now, pretty busy Tampa traffic (thanks to all the snow birds...) If I caused an accident by rear ending another car, and the REASON was that I was trying to look at my ears in the rearview mirror and see if I needed to trim my ear hair, should I tell the truth? Or would that get me in more trouble? (It was a close one, I'll tell you that.)

Finally, something that was worth writing about. Who knows how many people reading this will think twice before checking their ears in traffic. Glad I could be there for you. I feel like my day is now fulfilled.

I promise, I'll start doing better, as I know what torture it is not hearing from me. Some of you have probably lost the will to live..... Hang in there!

Big Fish in a Small Pond

I'm sure at some point in your life you've contemplated the big question --"Would you rather be a big fish in a little pond, or a little fish in a big pond?" I, myself, (I know, bad grammer, but used for emphasis....) have come to the realization that I am a little fish in a little pond. But I digress....


My older brother and his wife came down to enjoy some Florida weather, getting out of the sub-zero snow and ice of Iowa. (Even the state trees -- the telephone poles -- are bowing under the weight...) But, I digress again...


We took them to something they could never experience in Iowa -- The Cumquat Festival in downtown Dade City. Talk about excitement! Now, actually it was enjoyable with ALOT of people, but I'm talking the proverbial "little pond" called Dade City. Just try and figure out what a cumquat really is...... let me know when you find out.


As we walked, we ran across the Cumquat Festival QUEEN, in all her glory, along with her "court". Now, she was a very cute girl, and seemed to be having fun. And she got a lot of attention, etc. It had to be a real treat to win this out of all her peers, etc. But, come on, the Cumquat Festival Queen from Dade City...... is that something that will go on the resume to guarantee that big job opportunity?

Anyway, I say enjoy the days of being a big fish any chance you get, because we all feel like the little fish most of the time......

Hope you have a "big fish" day today.