Be a Good One

Pablo Picasso, the great Spanish painter and sculptor, once said this about his ability: " My mother said to me, if you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you became a monk, you'll end up as Pope. Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso, "No lack of confidence here!

But he would have agreed with Abraham Lincoln. "Whatever you are", said Lincoln, "be a good one." He demonstrated the wisdom of that advice with his own life. And in this present age, which often seems to be contented with mediocrity, his words summon a yearning for improvement and growth.

I think it helps to remember that excellence is not a place at which we arrive so much as a way of travelling. To do and be our best is a habit among those who hear and understand Lincoln's admonition.

Viennese-born composer Frederick Loewe, whom we remember from his musical scores that include - My Fair Lady, Gigi and Camelot, was not always famous. He studied piano with the great masters od Europe and achieved huge success as a musician and composer in his early years. But when he immigrated to the United States, he failed as a piano virtuoso. For a while he tried other types of work including prospection for gold and boxing. But he never gave up his dream and continued to play piano and write music.

During those years, he could not always afford to make payments on his piano. One day, bent over the keyboard, he heard nothing but the music that he played with such rare inspiration. When he finished and looked up, he was startled to find that he had an audience - three moving men who were seated on the floor.

They said nothing and made no movement toward the piano. Instead, they dug into their pockets, pooled together enough money for the payment, placed it on the piano and walked out, empty handed. Moved by the beauty of music, these men recognized excellence and responded to it.

Whatever you are, be a good one. If what you do is worth doing, if you believe that who you are is of value, then you can't afford to be content with mediocrity. When you choose the path of excellence through this life, you will bring to it your best and receive the best it can offer in return. And you will know what is to be satisfied.

By Steve Goodier

I Am The New Year

I am the New Year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next change at the art of living.

I am you opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the past twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieved is  mine to grant it when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you ever dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have...

these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am the opportunity to renew your alliance to Him to said, 

"behold, I make all things new."

I am the New Year.

From Truth Book

Don't give up

I will name her Sarah. We met her in the city of Ambato, Ecuador during a mission trip. Our music group was invited to sing during a series of conferences for a church in that city. Every night we opened the conference with a concert. But one night,while we were singing, we saw her. Standing in from of the stage during the whole concert crying. 
At the end of the concert,one of the ladies from the group went to see Sarah and hug her. Then she called the rest of the group to pray for Sarah. At that point Sarah told us her story. This girl with only fifteen years old was raped. Her mother took her to rehabilitation center to overcome her trauma and there she was raped twice more. She felt dirty, without any value and she was planning to take her own life.
Her mother take her to the conference and Sarah challenge  God. She told God "if you really love me and you don't want me to kill myself please give a sign" "if any of those people singing that they don't know me comes and gives me a hug, then  I will know that you love me".

God demonstrated Sarah how much he loves her. That in spite of her wounds she has a life ahead and gave her a new beginning.

No matter the circumstances that have happened in your life, you can start again. Don't give up. No surrender means fighting, you do not let down by the fight, you continue until you crush what afflicts you.

Sarah always dream to be a Doctor. When we returned to the United States, we decided to raise money and when Sarah went to college we paid for her first semester. Last week I called a friend in Ecuador and she told me that Sarah continued her studies.

A new beggining

A leaf that falls from the tree, the buzz of wind, the sound of the waves of the sea. They are very beautiful things. But I have learned to see the beauty in the invisible. In compassion, forgiveness and hope. There are many people who wander in this world searching for an opportunity for a new beginning. We learn to see the good in people. To let them know how special each one is. That life is beautiful, every day is a new beginning to believe, to live and to love.