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

Lucinda

 https://youtu.be/eXqZ8XDtntk

The Power of Responsability

It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got lost" to "I lost it".

Indeed, being accountable - and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happens - are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character.

May people have been seduced by the Perter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in been accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and sets goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations.

But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude - to circumstances and to other people.

Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.

Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that open doors.

If you want more control over your life an the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.

By Michael Josephson

Chasing the Shade

https://youtu.be/bmdlY1pECAI

Another Chance

How often we wish for another chance to make a fresh beginning.

A chance to blot out our mistakes and change failure into winning.

It does not take a new day to make a brand new start,

it only takes a deep desire to try with all our heart.

To live a little better and to always be forgiving

and to add a little sunshine to the world in which we're living.

So do not give up in despair and think that you are through,

for there's always a tomorrow and the hope of starting new.

Helen Steiner Rice

Grace

                                         https://youtu.be/aQQeoxl61pg

The Trouble Tree

A carpenter I hired to help me restore and old farm house has just finished a rough day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit and now his ancient truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me so I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong at home with my wife and my children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them  up again."

"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before"

Author Unknown

Evenstar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DlMG7JM33M

The Silence of Love

A wise man who was visiting a river to take a bath, found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked. "Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?"

The disciples thought for a while, on of them said, "because we loose our calm, we shout." But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner."  asked the wise man.

The disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples. Finally, the wise man explained, "when two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other."

The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people falls in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small, the wise man continued, "when they love each other even more, what happens? They don't speak, only whisper, they get even closer to each other in their love.

Finally, they even need not to whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how two people are when they love each other.

He looked at his disciples and said, "So when you argue do no let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return."

Author unknown

Patience My Friend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-i0b3v2EhI&index=15&list=PL8u7QbWFPEKsOwzs7qP_AtPIQbvbF6M8P