I just loved this essay, it speaks volumes and a great reminder for me ....to believe in myself!
Because there is no one out there quite like me. ( My Mother used to say that very same thing about me, but she said it with a different expression!)
I hope you enjoy it, good night dear friend!
Steps To Happiness
Everybody Knows:
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.
So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.
Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you'll be a most vital mortal.
Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To move ahead you need to believe in yourself...have conviction in your beliefs and the confidence to execute those beliefs." ~Adlin Sinclair
Today I got to work at the Quilt Shop for the Shop Hop. I have to admit, I was so excited to go into work! I could hardly wait to get there, and had a hard time leaving when I was suppose to. I love to watch and meet people! I love PEOPLE! There is always an interesting story in their life that is playing out in their attitudes, personalities, clothing and so on. I have to admit that most people are as nice as you are to them. I was the one of the ladies who stamped their passport ( that is all Quilt/Shop Hop lingo, in case you are wondering) and gave them their free block. It was fun to have them ask about the block, and to be able to say it was mine. Then I was able to tell them step by step how I made it. They really seemed to like my block, I am so glad. When I first thought about doing a block to see if might be chosen... I was a nervous wreak. So many of the women there are amazing seamstresses and they have been quilting for years, my stuff seems so elementary compared to them. But I have learned that everyone has different talents and styles. And basically we all enjoy and appreciate each others styles and talents.
It has been a blessing to be able to not only watch, but meet so many incredible women and even some of their families. It was also great to talk to many of them and hear about their struggles in their own life. The truth is...everyone is going through something. And those experiences and struggles are truly what shape our lives, and make us who we are. I have learned to try and not judge so quickly, because if you haven't walked in their shoes, lived their life...then we really don't know exactly what they have been through!
Yes, it was a good day! I can hardly wait to go tomorrow...except I a so tired! Oh well, I will head to bed soon. Good night dear friends!
"Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences, our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them." ~ Judith Henderson
"Opposition is nothing more than truth; though hard that truth maybe be, it is essentially beneficial to one's self. In life your greatest enemies are in reality your greatest benefactors. Learn from them; opposition only makes you stronger and more capable."
"We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path." ~ Paulo Coelho
"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap." ~Ani Difranco
Today I spent creating with a couple of friends, it was great. I am so blessed to be surrounded with so many friends, who don't mind sharing their talents. We really had a good time, and I was grateful to feel good enough, to spend some time with them.
Jeff sent this story to me the other day and it was inspiring! It goes to show you, that you can accomplish way more things than you could even imagine, when you just try. But kids are amazing! I spent much of my teenage years and single adult years, teaching handicapped pre-schoolers. No matter how bad their struggles were, they had a smile on their faces, and kept trying. I was amazed at how resilient and determined their were. I loved working with them and felt blessed to be able to learn from them.
I hope when you read this story, that you will remember no matter what our weaknesses are in life, we can make them our strengths! Good night, dear friends!
"Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take for example the story of the 10 year old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo instructor. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after 3 months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know,” the Sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei (Japanese judo instructor) took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. the third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent become impatient and charged the boy; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time his opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be over matched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened."No," the sensei insisted, "let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a crucial mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly the boy used his one move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind." Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" “You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "
"First you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws of all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.
THE BOYS BIGGEST WEAKNESS HAD BECOME HIS BIGGEST STRENGTH.
"NEVER CONSENT TO CREEP WHEN YOU FEEL AN IMPULSE TO SOAR" Helen Keller
This young boy had a sensei or a master to teach him and train Him, we too have a Master in this great work, if we listen to Him and follow him and do the things which He has asked us to do we too will have our greatest weaknesses become our greatest strengths.
"Our strength grows out of our weaknesses" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Build us your weaknesses until they become your strong points." ~Knute Rockne
"If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather than dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities." ~ Barbara Bush
