Monday Morning Encouragement Message!

This week, let’s think back to when we were kids.  Some of the most important lessons we learned were the lessons from the Sandbox?  Young children growing up, whether rich or poor, are taught to play by the rules.  Be tough, Be competitive, give the game all you have – But do it fairly.  It is the value system that is learned in homes, sandboxes, playgrounds, classroom…s, Sunday schools & athletic fields.  It’s our moral compass.  Let’s learn to listen to our moral compass, build teams with the highest values, share success, take responsibility & earn the rewards that only come with giving back . We don’t live these principles just to “ succeed’: we live them because they are right.  In an age of many business scandals, prove that honesty is more than right: It’s our biggest competitive advantage.  Keep our word. Keeping our word requires great resolve. We are the captain of our character & reputation- Our character & reputation must be grounded in honesty & integrity.  We will be remembered for promises kept & promises broken.  Always keep your word , no matter what the consequences are.  It is always tempting to cut corners to attain short term success.  Scammers & cheaters have never lasted for long, and their fall is fast, painful & lasting.  The ingredients for long term success are Courage, Vision, Follow-through , Risk, opportunity, Sweat, Sacrifice, skill, discipline, honesty – these never vary. Remember that there are 3 kinds of people in business & life. The unsuccessful.  The temporarily unsuccessful and Those who become & remain successful.  The difference is character.  We have moved from boxes of sand to buildings with desks, but how we are measured is still the same. Honor & fairness.  Remember the simple lessons from the sandbox.  Play fair, be tough, give it all you’ve got, don’t cheat, share, tell the truth & keep your word.  You don’t need to compromise these values to be a success. It is these very values that will make you a lasting success.  Have a phenomenal week.ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER…

The Splashes Of Life
My grandfather took me to the fishpond on the farm when I was about seven and he told me to throw a stone into the water.
He told me to watch the waves created by the stone, and then he asked me to think of myself as that stone.
“You may create a lot of splashes in your life, but remember the waves that come from those splashes will affect the peace of all your fellow creatures,” he said.
“Remember that you are responsible for what you throw into your circle, and that your waves will touch many other circles. Always try to live in a way that the waves that come from your circle send out the peace of your goodness to other circles.”
“Remember the waves that come from anger and jealousy will also send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for all the waves.”
That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world.
We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt and anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside whether we voice them or not. Whatever is sloshing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all the other circles of life.

A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train’s window shouted… “Dad, look the trees are going behind!” Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed… “Dad, look the clouds are running with us!” The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man… “Why don’t you take your son to …a good doctor?” The old man smiled and said… “I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.
Every single person on the planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.. Denis Waitley

Be real, be yourself, Be unique, be true, Be honest, be humble, Be happy. Author unknown

Some of the best days of your life haven’t happened yet… Anne Frank

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. Mark Twain

You can’t bring back the past, & you’re not promised the future, so enjoy life now. Author unknown

How you make others feel about themselves says a lot about you. Author unknown

Enjoy today to the fullest because yesterday was someone’s last and you know they wish they had your day today! Steve Smith