Dare to Dream

The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those whomerely read, talk or day dream. Action is the key.

Okay I want you to answer this question:

"In December of last year did you achieve all you set outto achieve in January of the same year?"

This is a 'yes or no' answer, so don't spend too longconsidering it.

The answer, of course, is 'no' - unless you are apathological liar!

Next question: "Did you set out to achieve anything lastyear?"

Aha! Now that's a more interesting question I think.

Deciding at the start of a year that you want to achieve acertain result by the end of that year, is an example ofour old friend goal-setting.

High-performance people set goals. Winners set goals.Losers never set goals. Why? Because it takes about 20minutes of concentrated effort to write down your goals,and losers have far more important things to do than this.It interferes with valuable boozing time, for example. Sucha task would take up nearly a whole episode of a soapopera. You could read a trash newspaper from cover to coverin this time.

But there is a more important reason why many people don'twrite goals. It is this. Writing goals commits you toaction, otherwise there is little point in writing them.

Turning your dreams (goals) into reality will not happenautomatically. It will require work and effort.

"Ohmygod!!! WORK, and EFFORT??? Forget it man! I'm notwriting down anything on a piece of paper which will commitme to that!"

This is why people do not set goals (write down theirdreams). They cannot bear to have that piece of paperleering at them in silent accusation as the months tick by.
But what is at stake here? Nothing less than undreamed ofwealth, unlimited happiness, and a totally fulfilled life.Perhaps more importantly, you can meet your fear head onand live like a warrior, not a frightened rabbit.

The older I get the more I wonder what the hell we're allso afraid of. Like you, I travel the world and see or hearabout real problems; murder, torture, death, disease andstarvation. Then I return to this grey, stuffy country towitness intelligent and privileged people wasting theirlives away down the pub or propped in front of the TVscreen for (on average) four hours each night! Unbelievable!

And these people are also timid beyond belief. They arecompletely risk-averse and will run bleating to theauthorities if the tiniest upset ruffles the calm waters oftheir uneventful lives. I am saying all this in the hopethat it will make you shudder. None of it applies to you,of course.
Achieving great wealth and happiness starts with having adream. Today's dreams are surely tomorrow's realities. Soyou blew it last year? You have a chance to redeem yourselfthis year - if you have the guts of course.

Got any fight left in you, or have you thrown in the towellong ago? Are you a shivering, frightened little mouse or ahuman being prepared to fight and win? Are you going tospend the rest of this year bleating and moaning about howyou cannot succeed? Or are you going to do something aboutmaking your own success a reality?

Are you prepared to fight?

(Eshopwindow)

Stories of Inspiration - Episode 1

He's certainly not the star of the team or even a medal favorite, but Eric Shanteau has earned as much respect as any of the U.S. swimmers at the Olympic Games.

Eric Shanteau says the support of teammates has been important as he fights testicular cancer.

Shanteau, 24, of Lilburn, Georgia, was diagnosed with testicular cancer June 19, a week before he left for the U.S. swim trials. But he put off the decision to have surgery until after the Summer Games, his first and last Olympics.

"I can't believe what he is going through," said teammate Dara Torres, "but he still has that drive to be here and to do his best. It is an amazing thing to watch."

It will be even more amazing if Shanteau can medal in the 200-meter breaststroke, which begins with preliminaries Tuesday night (Tuesday morning in the United States). He has the ninth fastest time in the world this year, but he's confident he can surprise people. After all, swimming is the easy part.

Cancer is on his mind constantly, he said. He worries about himself and his father, Rick, who has lung cancer. It reminds him that while reaching the Olympics was his dream, there are other things he should treasure.

Shanteau, an Auburn University graduate, admits that he has some down times because of the disease, but constantly reminds himself: "I have cancer; cancer doesn't have me." Watch how Shanteau says he won't give in to cancer »

And there is the support of his 40 teammates. He broke the news to them at a training camp. They had suspected something was wrong after Shanteau barely celebrated making the team. Aaron Peirsol, who is a club teammate of Shanteau's, wondered why his friend had been keeping to himself and had been showing up late for practice a lot.
Since the announcement, Shanteau has received e-mails, cards and letters from all over the world, but he points to his fellow swimmers as a huge support group.

"I'm very thankful they've taken me under all their wings," he said Wednesday at a news conference before the swimming competition began. "They are all behind me, willing to support me in the fight I am going through." iReport.com: Show your Olympic spirit

He also has the support of his girlfriend, Jeri Moss, who played the key role in discovering the cancer. She was the one who prodded him to go to the doctor one weekend. It was one of those kick in the butt moments that may have prevented a more serious issue.

Testicular cancer is an extremely treatable disease, especially when caught early. More than 95 percent of cases are cured, according to the National Cancer Institute's Web site.

In Shanteau's case, it was discovered extremely early and doctors determined it was slow-moving. He decided to live "week to week" in hopes that the cancer wouldn't quickly spread or grow.

Shanteau's decision to wait is common for people who have constant doctors' care.

"It is not unusual for someone to delay getting treatment for several weeks or several months," Dr. Otis Brawley of the American Cancer Society told CNN in July. "I'm not advocating that everybody wait a period of three or four weeks. If they do it under medical supervision, it can be very safe."

Asked about how he kept his focus after deciding to compete with cancer, Shanteau said it wasn't difficult.

"A lot of times when you get to an event like the Olympic Games, you can put too much pressure on yourself," he said. "I've kind of got an out with cancer."

It is unlikely that when Shanteau boards a plane to head back to the United States that he will have a medal to take with him. He disagrees. He said he believes he will finish in the top three "if I show up and swim the race I am capable of."

And then the man with cancer will turn supporter, cheering on the teammates who look to him for inspiration.

"To know I will be cured and I will beat this is inspiring," he said. "It's not going to get in the way of my life."

(CNN)

You are Brilliant!

The Brilliant You, Unreleased!

You're a remarkable person. But, you knew that already. Still, buried among apathy, unbelief and inhibition, is the brilliant "you" waiting to be released. You already knew that, too. A few disappointments here, several temporary defeats there, and POOF! just like that, you settled for being a risk-conscious, opportunity: self-denied, generality. Nobody makes any progress by standing still. You're not an exception; and you're not alone.

In fact, you have plenty of company. But, why settle for a life that looks like just about everyone else's? Do something magnificent with your God-given gifts and boldly distinguish yourself from the masses. Decide-on this day-to connect with your brilliance, within.

Paramount in your quest for brilliance is the personal development and daily utilization of your talents and abilities. As a matter of fact, it's required. It's not necessary to be perfect. Striving for excellence in everything you do is enough to release your brilliance.

Trust me. You were not born to be "mild." So cut it out! There's an entire universe out there starving for your gifts. How long will you continue to wait to take those last four classes needed for your degree? What career have you just been "wishing it were so" about? If all you can see is yourself remaining 16 units short of your degree, how can you possibly prepare for an exciting future? If you can't believe for a meaningful vocation now, will you have the passion to believe for one later?

Challenge yourself. Commit to do just two things this hour that will untap your brilliance. Revamp your resume; make a phone call to your advisor. Even a modest amount of brilliance unreleased, would relay the message to your brain: "Wow, she's serious!"

Ignite your passion. Inhale, then excel. Stand and deliver! See, then be!

Your life matters. Visualize your brilliance totally unreleased. Then boldly, step into the vision.

Fran Briggs is a "motivational speaker of the inspirational kind." She is a published author of several books including, "Seeds for Success," and the children's inspirational, "Don't Think Like an Elephant!" For resources that maximize human potential, visit Fran at http://www.franbriggs.com and sign up for your free successzine. It's a newsletter loaded with innovative success tools and strategies.

Life is Worthwhile If You...

Life is Worthwhile If You...

1) First, life is worthwhile if you LEARN.

What you don't know WILL hurt you. You have to have learning to exist, let alone succeed. Life is worthwhile if you learn from your own experiences, negative and positive. We learn to do it right by first sometimes doing it wrong. We call that a positive negative. We also learn from other people's experiences, both positive and negative. I've always said it is too bad failures don't give seminars. We don't want to pay them so they don't tour around giving seminars. But the information would be very valuable - how someone who had it all, messed it up. Learning from other people's experiences and mistakes.

We learn by what we see - pay attention. By what we hear - be a good listener. Now I do suggest being a selective listener, don't just let anybody dump into your mental factory. We learn from what we read. Learn from every source. Learn from lectures, learn from songs, learn from sermons, learn from conversations with people who care. Keep learning.

2) Life is worthwhile if you TRY.

You can't just learn; you now have to try something to see if you can do it. Try to make a difference, try to make some progress, try to learn a new skill, try to learn a new sport. Life is worthwhile if you try. It doesn't mean you can do everything but there are a lot of things you can do, if you just try. Try your best. Give it every effort. Why not go all out?

3) Life is worthwhile if you STAY.

You have to stay from spring until harvest. If you have signed up for the day or for the game or for the project - see it through. Sometimes calamity comes and then it is worth wrapping it up. And that's the end, but just don't end in the middle. Maybe on the next project you pass, but on this one, if you signed up, see it through.

4) Life is worthwhile if you CARE.

If you care at all you will get some results, if you care enough you can get incredible results. Care enough to make a difference. Care enough to turn somebody around. Care enough to start a new enterprise. Care enough to change it all. Care enough to be the highest producer. Care enough to set some records. Care enough to win.

Four powerful little words: learn, try, stay and care. What difference can you make in your life today by putting these four words to work?

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

Inspire Your Life

The Power of Inspiration

INSPIRATION can be a powerful thing. It can keep you going when all around you cries out "quit!" It is even more powerful than motivation,as motivation gives you your basic reasons to keepgoing--it tells you why you want to do what you do, because motivation is based on goals. These, in turn, may be based on necessity want or desire. But inspiration fills those reasons with hope, possibility and enjoyment and keeps the "grind" from becoming too grindy.

But just what does inspiration consist of? I posit two elements: vision and mission. Proverbs 29:18 says 'Where there is no vision, the peopleperish." A vision is the first step toward turningyour motivation into inspiration. A person with a vision sees down the road. He can sense what itwill be like six weeks, six months, a year, two years, five years and more ahead.

But how do you get a vision?, you ask. Firstof all, you need to narrow your perspective. You can't attempt to "ride off in all directions at once,"so to speak. Try to decide what it is you are looking for, so you'll know it when you see it.In other words, try to have in mind some general goals as to where you want to be six months a year,etc. from now. These goals will not only form the basis of your motivation but should also serve to limit to an extent the scope of your activity.

Next, try to locate and choose an opportunity(buisness, career or job) which you feel is right for you.This may be easier said then done, as there are many choices which sound good. You may come upon an outstanding one right away, purely by chance. If so, latch onto it. But you will probably have to pick several at first and study the things which each one offers and try to evaluate the potential of each one as you see it.Settle on the one which you feel has the most potential with the least amount of hassle (preferably one that is totally Internet driven as opposed to one where you have to spend time calling potential prospects by phone).

Once you have chosen your company, stand behind it in every way and don't quit or change your mind.B.C. Forbes said "Without loyalty, nothing can be accomplished in any sphere..." Think of yourself as being in it for the long haul, no matter what. And try to envision, based on what you know, how things will be down the road. Keep that picture before your mind, and never doubt. Napoleon Hill said "What themind can conceive and believe it can achieve,"and the Bible says, in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith isthe substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Once the vision is firmly implanted in your mind,let it become your driving force. Let the vision exciteyou with the possibility of its fulfillment and you will automatically begin the next step--you are on a mission. Your mission is to bring about the realization of thevision. If you keep the vision in mind, you will move forward in the mission, accomplishing enthusiasticallystep by step that which is necessary to bring the visioninto reality. You will have developed a sense of excite-ment, importance and urgency which will keep the fires of inspiration burning in your heart and moving you ever onwardand upward.

Article written by Rev. James M. Becher, Bible teacher, author of Of Such Is the Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times, and publisher of the bi-weekly Ezine, "Inspirational Success Tips".

Change Your Destiny!

How You Can Change Your Destiny

The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state. ~James Allen, As A Man Thinketh

The world you live in arises from the world within.

As you think and feel, you create your outer circumstances, relationships, and choices. Your thoughts determine the home you live in, the automobile you drive, the avenues you walk on, the buildings you work in, the people in your life, and your health and bank account.

Your mental view of life is expressed as tangible substance and experience.
This is the truth about reality.

Yet for centuries humankind has believed the opposite.

People believe that they can be happy when things go well for them. Yet it is their mood that determines how well or ill things will go for them.

People believe that all sorts of trouble come to them. Yet it is their agitated thoughts that have attracted trouble to them.

People believe that they have to react to the world and survive in it. Yet it is their reactions to the world and their insecurity that created the conditions that they struggle in.

Some people live like kings and others like paupers.

A king will associate with other kings and play on golf courses and vacation in exclusive resorts. He will create wealth building enterprises and invent massive economic machines. And when he has something to say, television cameras and periodicals will broadcast his opinions. As far as a king can tell, it is an abundant world. His experience of it is constantly expanding and he has visions of what else is possible.

The pauper will associate with other paupers. He will visit pawn shops with his television on his shoulders to pay the rent for his dilapidated housing. He'll create elaborate schemes to stretch his dollar because he makes precious little from his work-although his labor produces wealth for his master. He will live his life in obscurity. If he has something to say, he shares it with his faithful dog. As far as he can tell, it is a world of lack, limitation, negativity, and scarcity. His experience of it is constantly bitter. He shirks contact with the world of hope and possibility.

The king and the pauper may pass each other in the streets but do not even exchange glances for each is enveloped in his own view of the world.

What creates these worlds and the millions of variations? It is thought and feeling alone. These thoughts create behaviors and effects, knowledge and skills, and associations and choices.

Sometimes the pauper may change his thoughts, ascend to greater knowledge and enterprise and move into the world of a king. And sometimes a king may change his thoughts, descend in mood, become careless of his stewardship, and lose his empire and tumble into the world of a pauper.

To say that the world creates us is like saying that the cart is pulling the horse.
We choose the world we live in out of all possible worlds.

Resource Box

Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Ca., 15 years ago and now resides in Denver, Colorado. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world.

Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.