Monthly Archives: August 2012

It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.

It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean. – Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, as it seems contrary to our intuition at first glance. … Continue reading

Posted in belief, choice, emotion, focus, judgement, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. What does that mean? This quote says that new thoughts, new ideas (especially the big ones) permanently change our minds. Our thought … Continue reading

Posted in curious, discovery, improve, obstacles, passion, question | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. – Plato What does that mean? There are plenty of stories told of people, now known to be great, who had some difficulty in their youth. Many of these … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, confidence, focus, intelligence, motivation, persistence | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What does that mean? Trust yourself? That is the crux of this quote. Of course we trust ourselves, don’t we? Or do we? … Continue reading

Posted in clarity, confidence, destination, dream, knowledge, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. – Mother Teresa What does that mean? How good does it feel to say “Hi!” to someone, and have them look up with a scowl … Continue reading

Posted in affection, caring, dignity, inspire, love, sympathy | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Cultivating inner discipline is something that takes time; expecting rapid results is simply a sign of impatience.

Cultivating inner discipline is something that takes time; expecting rapid results is simply a sign of impatience. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? How many times have you become frustrated because you caught yourself doing something, even though you knew … Continue reading

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Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist…

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist… – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a Twitter friendly shortening of a fairly long quote: “Many have dreamed up republics and principalities … Continue reading

Posted in adaptation, flexibility, ideals, judgement, limits, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The more rules you have about how people have to be, how life has to be for you to be happy, the less happy you’re going to be!

The more rules you have about how people have to be, how life has to be for you to be happy, the less happy you’re going to be! – Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? Think about this for a moment. Compare … Continue reading

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There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.

There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself. – Louis XIV What does that mean? This quote is about what you do after you finish doing this quote. In that blog post I discussed how challenging it can … Continue reading

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I war not with the dead.

I war not with the dead. – Homer (from the Iliad,  Book VII, Line 485, as translated by Alexander Pope, spoken by King Agamemnon) What does that mean? This quote is spoken by King Agamemnon in agreeing to a truce to … Continue reading

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How would you know what happy is if you’ve never been otherwise.

How would you know what happy is if you’ve never been otherwise. – Malcolm S. Forbes What does that mean? This is an interesting quote. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you? Now define what a … Continue reading

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Adversity is just change that we haven’t adapted ourselves to yet.

Adversity is just change that we haven’t adapted ourselves to yet. – Aimee Mullins What does that mean? Adversity is defined at TheFreeDictionary as “A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune.” In the case of the author of today’s quote, it … Continue reading

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The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? How happy are powerful people? How many have had no regrets on their death beds? How many rich people spend more time getting … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, gratitude, happiness, help, money, power | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

There are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts.

There are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another Twitter-friendly quote. The more complete version is … Continue reading

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Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.

Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you. – Cynthia Kersey also listed as Oscar Wilde What does that mean? This is one approach to the age old question of … Continue reading

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