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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, August 4, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"If you want to learn something new, concentrate on getting that
'right feeling' that is true to yourself. Take the risk of letting go
the precious little control you've struggled to gain, letting go enough
to immerse yourself in what you are doing. Then - do it!"

~ Drs. Tom Rusk & Randy Read

THE SEARCH IS OVER!

Have you ever read Shel Silverstein's wonderful book, "The Missing Piece and the Big O"? It's a whimsical fable that has touched readers of all ages. It chronicles the search most of us have undertaken at one time or another in our lives to find the one person who can make us whole.

As the "Missing Piece" searches, it encounters other "parts." Some of them fit, but cannot roll. Others have too many pieces missing - while still others have too many pieces. The missing piece continues the futile search until one day it meets the "Big O" - a whole (not a part) with no pieces missing.

Thinking it had, at last, found its whole, the Missing Piece exclaims, "I think you are the one I have been waiting for - maybe I am your missing piece . . . I was hoping that I could roll with you." The Big O replied, "But I am not missing a piece . . . perhaps you could roll by yourself."

How often have we all felt that we needed someone else to be whole (or to roll) - not realizing that we are all in fact already the "Big O." We are already self-contained, have the ability to roll in any direction we like, and need nothing else to achieve every dream we've ever had. Then, unexpectedly, we find that there are others who are also "Big O's," with whom we can share our own "wholeness."

If I've lost you with this mysterious tale, go by the library or pick up a copy of this unusual story. Trust me - you'll understand. It's the type of book you can give to a loved one who may be feeling like a "Missing Piece."

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Thursday Morning Inspiration

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Pursue the good ardently.
But if your efforts fall short, accept the result and move on."

~ Epictetus

WHO ARE YOU?

Who do you want to be? Which are the principles by which you want to live? Do honesty, perseverance, and wisdom define you? Are sincerity, generosity, and a caring attitude your trademark?

Having a vague idea of the benchmark traits you wish to exhibit is not enough. To be extraordinary, it is necessary to define yourself in specific terms. If you haven't adopted a precise set of principles, consider choosing from the list that follows: humility, diligence, moderation, silence, temperance, chastity, courage, resolution, justice, industry, faithfulness, order, tranquility, cleanliness, encouragement, frugality, generosity, sincerity, persistence, honesty, perseverance, or caring.

Choose five that most closely match the person you would choose to be. Next define what each means to you, and how you can adopt them as your trademark traits. Finally, begin acting like the person you would be. Ben Franklin kept a small diary and rated his actions each day by placing a checkmark each time he violated one of his personal principles. Over time, as the checkmarks dwindled for one principle, he would move on to the next.

There's no need to discuss your quest for a principle-centered life with anyone. This is personal, very personal. It's also important to accept the fact that once you've adopted a credo, you won't do a perfect job of living up to it. When you find you've fallen short, "accept the result and move on."

Unless you're living the perfect life right now, and most of us aren't, give some thought to redefining yourself. Decide to be extraordinary and do whatever you must do - NOW!

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, June 30, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
~ Goethe

BE ALL THAT THEY CAN BE?

On a recent A&E Biography segment, Oprah Winfrey was being interviewed. She was asked whether she considered all the competing talk shows to be a threat to her own daytime show. She answered with a personal story about running in a marathon.

It seems Oprah had always had a dream of running in a marathon. She trained for two years to get ready, and she ran her marathon. Oprah explained that, to her, competition was like that marathon. As long as she was hitting her stride with her goal of winning in clear focus, there was no time to consider the competition. She added that just turning her head backward to see how close competing runners were to her position was enough to rob her of energy needed to win the race.

Oprah's view of the competition brought to mind the U.S. Army recruiting slogan: "Be all that you can be!" Note that it doesn't say, "Be all that THEY can be!" Even when your competition has a recognizable face, why would you want to be them? If you want to improve yourself, speed up your achievements, or earn more money, why not just better your own time? Comparing yourself to others is a waste of precious time and energy.

Realizing your dreams requires a roadmap. First, you decide on a destination - your dream. Next, you choose a route. For Oprah, that involved hiring a personal trainer, improving her aerobic capacity, and adding strength training to her daily regimen. It also helps to identify some stops or landmarks along the way to help you measure your progress. Finally, you apply all your energy to running the race - and achieving your dream.

Oprah's dream was to run a marathon. What's yours?

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Monday Morning Coffee Inspiration!

Monday, June 23, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"In the midst of our daily lives, we must find the
juice to nourish our creative souls."
~ Sark

TRAVELLING AT WARP SPEED?

Familiar with the speed of light? According to science books, light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. That's been common knowledge for years. Now, however, scientists have discovered in experiments that light may travel many times faster. In fact, tests seem to show that light may travel so fast that it arrives BEFORE it even leaves its source.

Business now travels at the speed of the Internet. "Fast Company" magazine reports up-to-the-nanosecond business techniques. You're connected . . . we're connected . . . we're all moving at warp speed!

Whoa! Stop! Put on the brakes. If you're feeling overwhelmed at the breakneck speed of your business . . . and your life . . . take heart. There's a solution, but you must make space for it. Some call it checking out. Others call it meditation. Some describe it as needing "some space" or "quiet time." The name is not important, but the practice is.

Into each day, schedule a time when you can be alone for 15 - 30 minutes. Mornings may be best when the house is quiet. Close your eyes and practice thinking absolutely nothing. If images, worries, or business schedules keep popping into your mind, practice making them go away. Some picture a blank movie or TV screen. If an image pops onto the screen, mentally turn off the TV and watch the screen go blank.

Once you reach this quiet peaceful state, you will notice that your daily family concerns and business challenges begin to resolve themselves. You can attract everything you need into your life by simply spending some time each day with yourself. It may feel awkward at first - thinking about nothing - but you will soon realize the potential of this powerful resource within you.

Go to your Day Planner now. Write in a block of time for each day this week to spend with your alter ego. Now - keep your appointment!

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, June 9, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it!"  

~ Anonymous

WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Some of the best minds suggest that when you have a dream, you should keep it to yourself. You should set about quietly achieving your dream, but without sharing it with others. Their reasoning is that when you share your lofty goal, you open yourself up to the ridicule and criticism of those who say, "It cannot be done." This is distracting, and can negate your efforts.

Avoid the crowd who says, "It cannot be done." Instead, spend time alone giving your dream a form. Imagine what it will feel like when your dream has been achieved. Picture it happening. Decide what actions you must take to set your dream in motion. Finally, "just do it!"

You'll find that you don't need the adulation of others when your dream becomes reality. Just knowing that you caused it will be enough. True - others will wonder how you accomplish so much in life, while they seem to struggle for the slightest movement forward. So be it.

As the Disney theme song says, "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Everything your heart desires will come to you!"

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, June 2, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"If ever I go looking for my heart's desire, I won't look any further than my own backyard!"  

~ Dorothy (from the The Wizard of Oz)

HAVE NO REGRETS!

Have you ever made big plans to strike out in a new direction? Maybe you've dreamed of a better education, a new career, or the magic of some far away wonderland where life seems to come alive. You checked out your idea, researched all the possibilities, made plans, told your friends and family, and took the risk.

Soon after beginning your quest, however, maybe you realized it wasn't for you. Guilt or embarrassment may have set in, and you weren't sure what to do. After all, you already told everyone about your grand plans, and now what would they think of you for making a 180º turn in midstream?

John Greenleaf Whittier, in his well-known poem "Maud Muller," wrote "For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been!" His message? Take a risk! Strike out on your own if that be your desire. Give it a try! Don't be afraid! In other words, don't let fear rob you of the opportunity to learn what "might have been."

Better to take the chance and have no regrets, than to fear giving it a try. If you later find, to your chagrin, that the new direction is not right for you, try looking, as did Dorothy, in your own backyard. Very often, everything you needed to be totally fulfilled already existed at your beginning point.

Remember - "There's no place like home!"

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Monday Morning Inspriation

Monday, May 26, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

THE SIX MISTAKES OF MAN

1.

The illusion that personal gain is made up of crushing others
2.

The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected
3.

Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it
4.

Refusing to set aside trivial preferences
5.

Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study
6.

Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 B.C. - 43 B.C.)


COULD YOU IMAGINE?

Imagine that you lived 50 years before the birth of Christ. What if one of the educated sages suggested that if you traveled to the ends of the known world he could still carry on a conversation with you? What would you say to him? No doubt, "That's impossible!!!" would have been your answer. Yet, even then, radio sound waves existed. They were undiscovered, but they existed.

What if someone said it were possible to travel to the moon and back? Same answer - "Impossible!"

Would your answer to those questions be the same today? Think how often we fail to set goals for ourselves because we believe them to be "impossible". We won't even dare to try because of the artificial limitations we place upon ourselves. Just because we haven't seen or heard of something being accomplished before, we assume it to be impossible.

So . . . what would you like to accomplish? What steps would you need to take to bring your objective to fruition? The solution, the realization of, the path to your objective already exists - it just lies hidden at the present moment. Because it is not in sight, however, is no reason to assume it is not within your grasp.

Sometimes it is necessary to "let go" of the limitations that hold us back. In letting go of the need to control the outcome, we allow our desired objective to approach us without hindrance. If it sounds a little deep and complex, it's really not. For more on this fascinating concept, pick up a copy of Wayne Dyer's "Wisdom of the Ages."

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, May 19, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"If you're gonna go, go like hell. If your mind's not made up, don't use your spurs."  

From "Don't Squat With Your Spurs On!" ("A Cowboy's Guide to Life" by Texas Bix Bender)

LIVE WITH PASSION!

When you're ready to ride, don't wear your Nikes. Put on your boots and spurs, and let your horse know you mean to ride hard. Then - ride with passion.

How many times have you thought of achieving a dream - only to spend more time in the dreaming and planning than in the doing? No problem - we all do it from time to time. The old nemesis - fear of failure and the unknown - haunts all of us occasionally, keeping us from reaching our objective.

Think back to the last time you took action with a burning passion! Were you competing for a gold medal, fighting for your life under adverse circumstances, or vying for the heart of your beloved? Something was motivating you to the limit, and you refused to quit.

So, what's your passion right now - today? Maybe it's an education, a new career, getting in shape, having more freedom, money & status, or closer family ties. Whatever your desired direction in life, put on your spurs, mount your horse, and hit the trail! There's no greater joy in life than putting everything you've got into an achievement - and then realizing you've overcome all the obstacles.

Ride hard, buckaroo!

 

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, May 12, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Begin to be now . . . what you will be hereafter."  

~ St. Jerome

TAKE THIS QUIZ!

Here's a short list of questions. Take time to answer them and today's message will be crystal clear. It needs no further explanation, so enjoy!

Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

List four teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, May 5, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Lose this day loitering - 'twill be the same story
To-morrow - and the next more dilatory;
Each indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting o'er lost days.
Are you in earnest? seize this very minute -
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Only engage, and then the mind grows heated -
Begin it, and then the work will be completed!"

 ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ENGAGE IT!

Ever driven a car? Of course you have, but what makes it move?

You enter a car with a standard transmission, place it in neutral, and start the engine. It idles - waiting for what? The engine is running, but you are going nowhere. What must be done to get to your destination?

Your vehicle is like your mind and body. Goethe says, "Are you in earnest? . . . Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." He questions whether you are in earnest . . . calls attention to the fact that there is genius, power and magic in boldness. It's like your vehicle idling in neutral. It has the power to take you wherever you want to go . . . yet is goes nowhere - until what happens?

"Only engage," urges Goethe. The only thing keeping you from moving is your willingness to engage. Place the transmission in first gear, and what happens? You begin moving - slowly at first. Moving the gearshift into 2nd, your movement speeds up. As it does, you are soon in 3rd, and well on the way to your destination.

Goethe speaks of achieving your objectives in life: "Only engage, and then the mind grows heated . . . ." In other words, put your life in gear - get started - get moving! When you do . . . when your "mind grows heated" . . . that which you desire to achieve will be attracted to you.

So - what do you say? Are you in earnest?

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Displaying blog entries 241-250 of 256

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Liz Warren
Merit Properties Group - Keller Williams Realty PDX Central
Box 131
Welches OR 97067
Direct: 503-705-3090
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