Thurs 2 o'clock refresh  PM pick me upper

Learning-- from two CENTURIONS 

(this story a few years old, so not sure if this couple still with us. Regardless they shared some tremendous wisdom for all to learn from)

Percy Arrowsmith is 105 years old and his wife Florence is 100. In June, they celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary- at the time setting a Guinness record for the longest marriage in the world!
What has been the glue that has kept the Arrowsmith's together for eight decades?

Percy joked that it was his consistent use of the phrase “Yes dear.” But both Arrowsmith's agreed that the longevity of their union could be attributed to their nightly ritual of kissing and holding hands. They wouldn’t think of allowing each other to go to bed angry at the other. Florence confessed, “It has not been easy, but worth every minute because he is so much more than my best friend- he is the love of my life.”

One thing is certain: When it comes to love and marriage, there is a lot to be said--for both tenderness, and, understanding.

Friday Feel Good

A story of Hope, a story of Promises

(thanks to ‘The Lucado Inspiration Reader, Max Lucado)
The 1989 Armenian earthquake needed only four minutes to flatten the nation and kill thirty thousand people. Moments after the deadly tremor ceased, a father raced to an elementary school to save his son. When he arrived he saw that the building had been leveled. Looking at a mass of stones and rubble, he remembered a promise he had made to his child: “No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you.” 

Driven by his own promise, he found the area closest to his son’s room and began to pull back the rocks. Other parents arrived and began sobbing for their children. “It’s too late.” They told the man. “You know they are dead. You can’t help.” Even a police officer encouraged him to give up. But the father refused. For eight hours, then sixteen, thirty-two, thirty-six hours, he dug. His hands were raw and his energy gone, but he refused to quit.

Finally, after thirty eight hours, he pulled back a boulder and heard his son’s voice. He called his boy’s name, “Arman, Arman!” And a voice answered back “Dad, it’s me.” Then the boy added these priceless words “I told the other kids not to worry. I told them if you were alive you’d  save me, and when you saved me, they’d be saved too. Because you promised, ‘No matter what, I ‘ll always be there for you."

Wednesday

What can we learn from the great Leo Buscaglia (by request from Smile-Enthusist, Jes H)

The answer?  Brilliant wisdom, great feelings, and a plethora of love. Have a look:

1. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
2. “The easiest thing to be in the world-- is you. The most difficult thing to be-- is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.”
3. “The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love. Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free.”
4. “Never idolize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don't over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.”
5. “There are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, who will need our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.”
6. “If you don't like the scene you're in, if you're unhappy, if you're lonely, if you don't feel that things are happening--- change your scene. Paint a new backdrop.” 
7. “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
8. “To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life--is to risk nothing.”
9. “Don't spend your precious time asking "Why isn't the world a better place?" It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is "How can I make it better?" To that there is an answer.”
10. “Those who think they know it all-- have no way of finding out they don't.” 

Thursday

Follow your IDEAS, to their conclusion!

(Thanks to 'GLLFT,' by Honor Books)

Years ago in a federal courtroom in NY, a sarcastic district attorney presented to a jury a glass gadget that looked something like a small electric light bulb. With great scorn and ridicule, the attorney accused the defendant of claiming that this ‘worthless device’ might be used to transmit the human voice across the Atlantic Ocean.

The attorney alleged that gullible investors had been persuaded by preposterous claims to buy stock in the company—an obvious act of fraud. He urged the jury to give the defendant and his two partners stiff prison sentences. Ultimately the two associates were convicted but the defendant was given his freedom after he received a severe scolding from the judge.

The defendant was inventor Lee de Forest. The ‘worthless glass bulb’ that was also on trial was the audion tube he had developed---perhaps the single greatest invention of the twentieth century. It proved to be the foundation for what has become a multi-billion dollar electronics industry.

Here’s the point to jot down:

No matter how harsh the criticism or how stinging the sarcasm aimed at your original ideas, take them to their logical end.  Either convince yourself—that you were indeed wrong, or, follow your correct hunch- and create something new.

Think on this:  Every time something is ‘invented’  when there was currently nothing there--because of the newness, the majority will overwhelmingly say the inventor is crazy. Stick to what your heart tells you is right( or in this case—has a need to be invented!)

Friday Feel Good

More cool people, inventing great things 

(thanks to ‘1001 ways to take initiative at work,’ Bob Nelson)

In California, Starbucks DM Dina Campion pushed an idea for a frosty new coffee drink that she thought her customers would love- especially during those hot golden state summer days. Campion and a couple of other managers experimented with a variety of formulations until they got it just right.

The ultimate concoction dubbed “Frappuccino” (after a slushy coffee drink sold by Coffee Connection, the Boston coffee company Starbucks bought in 1994) first became a local hit and then took off nationwide. It earned the company 100 million in it's first year.

Interestingly enough CEO Howard Schultz didn’t like the iced coffee drink at all, thinking it tasted kind of ‘froufrou.’ Schulz calls killing the Frappuccino idea the best mistake he never made, and he jokes now that he works--for the woman who invented it. Thanks Dina! At Starbucks employees are always encouraged to innovate, and they are motivated by co-workers examples!

You  just never know when or where a great idea or new product  will come from. 
Everyone—keep those IDEAS coming!!

Thurs 2 o'clock refresh PM pick me upper

Surprising double bonus-- for a lonely mom (thx Christophers.org)

After retiring from a stressful job at age 55, Claire started volunteering at an animal shelter. But first, three of her friends had to write reference letters to vouch for her character. She passed muster without a problem and enjoyed her new work, in light of the loneliness she felt in her own life. Claire’s husband, a police officer, had been killed in the line of duty, while her daughter Liz had cut off contact with her mother due to a conflict over the lifestyle Liz was leading.

Claire’s closest friend, Angie, knew how intensely she missed her daughter, so she offered to write a reference letter of sorts to Liz on why she should re-establish a relationship with her mother. Two of Claire’s other friends, the same ones who had written letters to the animal shelter, did the same.

One day, Liz came to the shelter to adopt a puppy. Not only that, she apologized to Claire for neglecting her for years. Their rift finally began to heal.

And when Liz invited Claire over on Mother’s Day, she showed her the three framed “reference letters” hanging in her home that had restored love to their lives.

Thursday

9 statements-Worthy of your attention 

1. For a restful sleep tonight, remember the three people you complimented today. Didn’t quite accomplish it?—Try it tomorrow.
2. Seldom should you eat lunch alone. There’s someone who would love to share this time with you. Could be work ,or play, or  how you can help someone related.
3. Be ready to contribute a ‘Let’s make it happen’ attitude. What better contribution than a big ‘TRY and Get Er Dun’ attitude.
4. Read the Boy Scouts Handbook. (Especially their 10 point creed. It’s a superb moral compass and guide to follow.)
5. Try the pie at any place called ‘Mom’s.’  Chances are it’s very good. Anyone agree?
6. Start each day with a smile and get it over with.  From funny guy WC Fields. Ironically he’s joking about getting it over, yet, if we start,  who knows how many more smiles we’ll actually share.
7. Word to the wise: You don’t  have to attend every argument you’re invited to. Take the higher road, injecting some peace and patience.
8. Quotesville: “Get a good idea and stay with it. Do it, and work at it until it’s done right.”    –Walt Disney-  Here, here.
9. Advice for this day: Whatever you do, be the salt in the stew. Just add something positive to whatever situation you are involved in. Repeat tomorrow.

Thursday

The story of Clem Labine 

(thanks to 1960 book ‘Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude,’ Hill and Stone)

Clem Labine was known throughout the baseball world as a pitcher who could throw one of the best curve balls in the game; a jug handled curve. When Clem was a young boy, he broke the index finger on his right hand. The finger was not set correctly. It healed, but there was a permanent crook between the first and second joints. Clem, who was deeply interested in baseball, became discouraged.

It seemed to him that this was the end of his dream of a baseball career. “Don’t be so sure,” his coach told him. “Sometimes the things that seem like disaster turn out to be blessings in disguise.  It all depends on how you regard the troubles that come your way. It is said that every adversity has a seed of greater benefit.”

Wisely, Clem took his coach’s advice and kept playing, looking for that ‘seed.’ Because of the crooked finger, he started to find that the spin he could put on his pitches were like no other player. Clem was encouraged and worked extremely hard to develop his skill and eventually became one of the finest pitchers the game had.

How did he accomplish this? Through natural skill, to be sure. Through intense laborious work of course. But most important—through a change in mental attitude. Clem Labine was smart enough and fortunate enough to take his coaches advice  and look for the good in his unfortunate situation. 

The good news of this story is that most everyone else will get this chance in life somewhere. We just need to keep our eyes peeled, and not if, but when tough times strike we need to always be on the lookout for that silver lining.

That positive 'what good is there to be gleaned from this benefit' that comes out of each adversity. Look hard, as it will be there!

Wednesday

On finding a BETTER Way... (thanks to Bits & Pieces for this story)

A great many people these days complain that their work is boring. The tendency is to blame the job for lack of challenge. What usually makes work drudgery however, is one’s attitude- not the work itself.

No task needs to be boring, for the simple reason that every job contains within it a hidden challenge. That challenge is this: How can it be done better?

Could anything be more boring than sweeping floors? Murray Spangler, a department store janitor in Ohio, wasn’t bored even though the dust made him wheez and cough. Many people would have given up and quit. Instead, Spangler set out to find a better way to clean floors. ”Why not eliminate the broom?” he wondered. “Maybe something that would suck up dust…?”

Spangler’s question led to a crude but workable vacuum cleaner, which he induced an old friend in the leather business to finance. The investor/friend’s name…H. W. Hoove

Today’s moral: Don’t complain. Rather accept the challenge, to find, or do things better.

Tuesday 22 second:

Shout out to the believers, hopers, doers, and persistent folk... 

“Do you know who I really, really love?
The folks who keep doing little things, expecting BIG results, especially when circumstances “seem” to indicate that tomorrow will be pretty much exactly the same as yesterday. These are, in fact, the world's movers and shakers.”
-The Universe, aka Tut.com-

The most impactful word in that whole statement above- is in quotation marks. For the movers and groovers have that unshakable belief, and just keep their heads down and continue to plow forward.

Quite inspiring and admirable, don’t you think?

Tuesday tip... 

15 things you can give-- without costing a penny

(‘Success through a Positive Mental Attitude’ by  Nap Hill and W C Stone)

Were you aware... the more you share, the more you will have? Hmm...Now if you doubt this, you can prove it to yourself by giving:
(1) a smile to everyone you meet, (2) a kind word,  (3) a pleasant response,
(4) appreciation with warmth from the heart,  (5) cheer,  (6) encouragement,
(7) hope,  (8) honor,  (9) credit,
(10) applause, (11) good thoughts, (12) evidence of love for your fellowman,
(13) happiness,(14)  a prayer, and (15) time for a worthy cause with eagerness.

What you’ll learn is  a.)what is left with you, when you share it with others--will multiply and grow, and  b.)what you withhold from others--will diminish and decrease with yourself.

Therefore the best thing to do is to give and share. Additionally, be sure to withhold  that which is bad and undesirable.