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Friday, April 2, 2010
Camping in the Backyard at Springfield Lakes
The photo tells the story.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Secret in the Geode - and the Link to New Success
I got this thought hook from a recent email from the Napoleon Hill Foundation.
A CLOSED MIND STUMBLES OVER THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THEM.
To the untrained eye, a geode looks pretty much like an ordinary rock.
But a trained geologist knows that inside the geode there is a beautiful crystal lining.
The story is the same for those who refuse to examine new possibilities because their minds are closed. Life’s greatest opportunities, like the geode, often come in ordinary packaging.
Do not allow yourself to become such a creature of habit that you simply go through the motions and let life happen to you. Just taking a new route to work, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, reading a newspaper instead of watching television, or visiting a museum at lunchtime will stimulate your thought processes and may help you open your mind to new possibilities.
Have a great new week!
and make it a GREAT day today!
A CLOSED MIND STUMBLES OVER THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THEM.
To the untrained eye, a geode looks pretty much like an ordinary rock.
But a trained geologist knows that inside the geode there is a beautiful crystal lining.
The story is the same for those who refuse to examine new possibilities because their minds are closed. Life’s greatest opportunities, like the geode, often come in ordinary packaging.
Do not allow yourself to become such a creature of habit that you simply go through the motions and let life happen to you. Just taking a new route to work, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, reading a newspaper instead of watching television, or visiting a museum at lunchtime will stimulate your thought processes and may help you open your mind to new possibilities.
Have a great new week!
and make it a GREAT day today!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Mt Gravatt Mountain Coffee Shop Finally Open
The coffee shop is FINALLY open!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Arvo Tea @ the Baxter's Lakehouse @ Loganholme
And with a view!
My Mind is a Distillery - Paul E Grant
This is a great poem by a real hgero of mine, Paul E Grant. I have written about him many time sin my blog.
Over to you now, Paul, for another potent poem....
MY MIND IS A DISTILLERY
My mind is a distillery
Separating all kinds of elements,
A depot also, storing deliveries
Of many kinds of rudiments
My mind becomes a clearing house
A kind of encyclopedia
In which I’m challenged to examine
Items from all kinds of media
Daily and hourly, incessantly,
Details invade its capacity,
Each of them demanding attention,
Data of wondrous diversity
God made this amazing organ,
A body-top computer,
Programmed to function for our good
It becomes a kind of tutor
It helps me to distinguish
The important from the trivial,
It also helps me segregate
The evil from the moral
It challenges me to discovery
To exploring things unknown,
To ascertaining accuracy
To accept or to disown
I’ve learned to give priority
To things of enduring worth,
For really and truly we have only
A very little time on earth
So I learn to distil the mysteries
Of God’s wonderful creation,
Best of all the provision
Of his amazing salvation
This world quickly passes away
That which is seen is temporal,
The things I really love to distil
Are the things that are eternal
Paul E. Grant
May 2009
Over to you now, Paul, for another potent poem....
MY MIND IS A DISTILLERY
My mind is a distillery
Separating all kinds of elements,
A depot also, storing deliveries
Of many kinds of rudiments
My mind becomes a clearing house
A kind of encyclopedia
In which I’m challenged to examine
Items from all kinds of media
Daily and hourly, incessantly,
Details invade its capacity,
Each of them demanding attention,
Data of wondrous diversity
God made this amazing organ,
A body-top computer,
Programmed to function for our good
It becomes a kind of tutor
It helps me to distinguish
The important from the trivial,
It also helps me segregate
The evil from the moral
It challenges me to discovery
To exploring things unknown,
To ascertaining accuracy
To accept or to disown
I’ve learned to give priority
To things of enduring worth,
For really and truly we have only
A very little time on earth
So I learn to distil the mysteries
Of God’s wonderful creation,
Best of all the provision
Of his amazing salvation
This world quickly passes away
That which is seen is temporal,
The things I really love to distil
Are the things that are eternal
Paul E. Grant
May 2009
Friday, March 26, 2010
My WEALTH Thinkmap
I have been working with the richness of the word "wealth" recently... and have developed a thinkmap... and got some help from the visual thesaurus people.
Here is it......
Here is it......
Thursday, March 25, 2010
How to Approach Your Work Today!
The good book again provides some great wisdom about how to negotiate your work day TODAY.
And after the last season in my life I am very grateful that I have a GREAT job!
Here goes:
Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 (CEV)
A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.
Proverbs 10:26 (MSG)
Bad work gets paid with a bad cheque; good work gets solid pay.
Proverbs 11:18 (MSG)
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
Proverbs 12:24 (MSG)
Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
Proverbs 14:23 (MSG)
Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.
Proverbs 14:35 (MSG)
Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)
Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
Proverbs 18:9 (MSG)
Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
Proverbs 19:10 (MSG)
If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honour your boss, you'll be honoured.
Proverbs 27:18 (MSG)
Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
Proverbs 28:20 (MSG)
Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep...
Ecclesiastes 5:12 (MSG)
Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift!
Ecclesiastes 5:19 (MSG)
And after the last season in my life I am very grateful that I have a GREAT job!
Here goes:
Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 (CEV)
A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.
Proverbs 10:26 (MSG)
Bad work gets paid with a bad cheque; good work gets solid pay.
Proverbs 11:18 (MSG)
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
Proverbs 12:24 (MSG)
Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
Proverbs 14:23 (MSG)
Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.
Proverbs 14:35 (MSG)
Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)
Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
Proverbs 18:9 (MSG)
Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
Proverbs 19:10 (MSG)
If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honour your boss, you'll be honoured.
Proverbs 27:18 (MSG)
Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
Proverbs 28:20 (MSG)
Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep...
Ecclesiastes 5:12 (MSG)
Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift!
Ecclesiastes 5:19 (MSG)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Character Isn't and Is .....
Character isn’t something you were born with and can’t change, like your fingerprints.
It’s something you weren’t born with and must take responsibility for forming.”
— Jim Rohn: Entrepreneur, Author and Speaker
It’s something you weren’t born with and must take responsibility for forming.”
— Jim Rohn: Entrepreneur, Author and Speaker
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Book Publishing Myths - Dale Beaumont
In the last view weeks I have been devouring Dale Beaumont's material getting ready to write my first book.
Here is a sample of one of his punchy motivation video clips from his YouTube site
Over to you, Dale
If the video does not pop up in auto click the link here.
Dale Beaumont is a best-selling author, international speaker and creator of the 'Secrets Exposed' series.
Dale's career began at the age of nineteen when he co-wrote his first book titled: "The World at your Feet". Since then, Dale has run self-development and life-skills programs for over 15,000 young people across four countries.
In 2005 he created the 'Secrets Exposed!' series; a selection of books that takes you up-close and personal with hundreds of Australasia's most successful people, in a range of topic areas.
To-date a total of fifteen Secrets Exposed book have been successfully released into bookstores and over 250,000 Secrets Exposed books are now in print. The series is now sold across Australia and throughout South-East Asia receiving exceptional feedback from readers everywhere.
Dale has been interviewed on Sunrise, Today Show, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, ABC Radio, Radio 2UE and well as being featured in over one hundred newspapers and magazines, including Wealth Creator, My Business, AFR Boss and Virgins In-flight magazine.
Here is a sample of one of his punchy motivation video clips from his YouTube site
Over to you, Dale
If the video does not pop up in auto click the link here.
Dale Beaumont is a best-selling author, international speaker and creator of the 'Secrets Exposed' series.
Dale's career began at the age of nineteen when he co-wrote his first book titled: "The World at your Feet". Since then, Dale has run self-development and life-skills programs for over 15,000 young people across four countries.
In 2005 he created the 'Secrets Exposed!' series; a selection of books that takes you up-close and personal with hundreds of Australasia's most successful people, in a range of topic areas.
To-date a total of fifteen Secrets Exposed book have been successfully released into bookstores and over 250,000 Secrets Exposed books are now in print. The series is now sold across Australia and throughout South-East Asia receiving exceptional feedback from readers everywhere.
Dale has been interviewed on Sunrise, Today Show, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, ABC Radio, Radio 2UE and well as being featured in over one hundred newspapers and magazines, including Wealth Creator, My Business, AFR Boss and Virgins In-flight magazine.
Monday, March 22, 2010
How to Set Your Kids Up For Success!
I was inspired by this quote that I found recently
"A man who gives his children HABITS of INDUSTRY provides for them BETTER than by giving them fortune."
Richard Whately
This adds to some other great biblical wisdom:
Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with.
Proverbs 29:17 (MSG)
Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child.
Psalms 22:30 (MSG)
What are some of the valuable "habits of industry" that you have taught your children?
"A man who gives his children HABITS of INDUSTRY provides for them BETTER than by giving them fortune."
Richard Whately
This adds to some other great biblical wisdom:
Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with.
Proverbs 29:17 (MSG)
Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child.
Psalms 22:30 (MSG)
What are some of the valuable "habits of industry" that you have taught your children?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Can You Give GOD a Loan of Money?
Some of you saw me write this during the week on Twitter - but the thought is still sticking with me.
Can You Give GOD a Loan of Money?
Proverbs 19:17 says you can.
Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.
Proverbs 19:17 (MSG)
Jill and I gave $32 this week to the Christian Blind Mission. We just had to when we heard their story.
$32 and a 10 minute operation restores someone's sight. That's a MIRACLE. We both have glasses, but that is nothing compared to a lifetime of blindness.
That's an INVESTMENT in mercy.
Can You Give GOD a Loan of Money?
Proverbs 19:17 says you can.
Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.
Proverbs 19:17 (MSG)
Jill and I gave $32 this week to the Christian Blind Mission. We just had to when we heard their story.
$32 and a 10 minute operation restores someone's sight. That's a MIRACLE. We both have glasses, but that is nothing compared to a lifetime of blindness.
That's an INVESTMENT in mercy.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Change Schizophrenia - My Head Says "Yes" & My Heart Says "No"
Lee Colan wrote something great recently.......
As humans, it seems like we are hard-wired for comfort. As a result, change does not come easily. As the saying goes, "Change is like rain. Everyone knows it's good for you, but nobody wants to get wet."
We resist change so much because we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to and underestimate the value of what we are moving toward. Sometimes, we need to turn our world upside down to see a new perspective.
Good one, Lee.
This is a short post because I need you to think about this for a bit again...
"we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to
& underestimate the value of what we are moving toward."
Is this how you see it?
I would be very INTERESTED if this is YOUR experience!
Have a think about it and post a COMMENT - thanks.
As humans, it seems like we are hard-wired for comfort. As a result, change does not come easily. As the saying goes, "Change is like rain. Everyone knows it's good for you, but nobody wants to get wet."
We resist change so much because we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to and underestimate the value of what we are moving toward. Sometimes, we need to turn our world upside down to see a new perspective.
Good one, Lee.
This is a short post because I need you to think about this for a bit again...
"we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to
& underestimate the value of what we are moving toward."
Is this how you see it?
I would be very INTERESTED if this is YOUR experience!
Have a think about it and post a COMMENT - thanks.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Which President Makes Me the Most Money - Great Question but the Wrong Question
I really enjoyed this recent article from Dave Ramsey about investment returns under various US Presidents.
Here is a snapshot....
The truth is, investment success depends more on the resilience of the U.S. economy and your dedication to a long-term goal than on which candidate or party is in the White House.
Presidential Performance
For fun, let's say you made a hypothetical investment in the first year of each president's term. Ten years later, what kind of average annual return could you expect for investments made under the different administrations?
Good question. Let's start with President Bill Clinton. During his tenure, the economy experienced phenomenal growth, so you would expect a stellar average annual return. Ten years after Clinton took office, the S&P 500 was averaging 12.5% returns each year. Annual returns averaged 10.1% after his second term.
Now, let's look at President Jimmy Carter. His term saw the energy crisis and a tough recession—not the best and brightest of times. But the average annual return 10 years after he took office was16.4%, topping performance during Clinton's administration by several points.
The best 10-year average annual return occurred after President Ronald Reagan took office—17.4%. The worst was 4.8% after President Richard Nixon's first term.
Remember you can read the full article here.
Here is a snapshot....
The truth is, investment success depends more on the resilience of the U.S. economy and your dedication to a long-term goal than on which candidate or party is in the White House.
Presidential Performance
For fun, let's say you made a hypothetical investment in the first year of each president's term. Ten years later, what kind of average annual return could you expect for investments made under the different administrations?
Good question. Let's start with President Bill Clinton. During his tenure, the economy experienced phenomenal growth, so you would expect a stellar average annual return. Ten years after Clinton took office, the S&P 500 was averaging 12.5% returns each year. Annual returns averaged 10.1% after his second term.
Now, let's look at President Jimmy Carter. His term saw the energy crisis and a tough recession—not the best and brightest of times. But the average annual return 10 years after he took office was16.4%, topping performance during Clinton's administration by several points.
The best 10-year average annual return occurred after President Ronald Reagan took office—17.4%. The worst was 4.8% after President Richard Nixon's first term.
Remember you can read the full article here.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
You Must Get Busy Doing Something About Going the Extra Mile!
I really enjoyed this thought recently from the Napoleon Hill Foundation.
It’s well and good to feel as though you have changed the attitude with which you render extra service, but if that service is in truth no more than anyone else’s, then you aren’t doing yourself much good. You need to examine your co-workers and competitors to understand just what it is that will make you stand out.
If there are job performance standards, exceed them. If you’re fulfilling a contract, make sure you offer more than you promised. You cannot confine extra-mile service to your work alone. You must make it part of your philosophy for dealing with every person you encounter.
Imagine how others will be delighted to find that you are the type of person who not only does what is promised but even delivers more. The true benefit of going the extra mile is in teaching yourself to strive always for better and greater achievement in all that you do.
SO..... YOU MUST GET BUSY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE.
It’s well and good to feel as though you have changed the attitude with which you render extra service, but if that service is in truth no more than anyone else’s, then you aren’t doing yourself much good. You need to examine your co-workers and competitors to understand just what it is that will make you stand out.
If there are job performance standards, exceed them. If you’re fulfilling a contract, make sure you offer more than you promised. You cannot confine extra-mile service to your work alone. You must make it part of your philosophy for dealing with every person you encounter.
Imagine how others will be delighted to find that you are the type of person who not only does what is promised but even delivers more. The true benefit of going the extra mile is in teaching yourself to strive always for better and greater achievement in all that you do.
SO..... YOU MUST GET BUSY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A man’s ledger does not tell ______________
I really enjoyed this POTENT quote:
A man’s ledger does not tell what he is, or what he is WORTH.
Count what is IN man, not what is ON him, if you would know what he is worth-whether rich or poor.
-- Henry Ward Beecher
What do you reckon you are worth? Just a thought!
A man’s ledger does not tell what he is, or what he is WORTH.
Count what is IN man, not what is ON him, if you would know what he is worth-whether rich or poor.
-- Henry Ward Beecher
What do you reckon you are worth? Just a thought!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wisdom from an Entreprenuer - Peter J. Daniels
I first heard Peter Daniels speak in approx 1984 as a young man. He made a big impact on my life. I think he may have been the first Christian entreprenuer I heard.
Peter J. Daniels came from the other side of the tracks with every reason to become a victim and statistic of life. Yet, he chose to go the other direction becoming a success story. As you watch, you will remove all your reasonings and handicaps to move forward in becoming what you were created to be.
Click the link here to view part 1 of one of his keynote addresses.
Peter J. Daniels came from the other side of the tracks with every reason to become a victim and statistic of life. Yet, he chose to go the other direction becoming a success story. As you watch, you will remove all your reasonings and handicaps to move forward in becoming what you were created to be.
Click the link here to view part 1 of one of his keynote addresses.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Have You Got "A Mind to Succeed" - A Great New Book by @stevepenny
I have just been sent a copy of the new Steve Penny book, "A Mind to Succeed."
And it is VERY HARD to put down!
Check out some these quotes:
Success comes from the inside
Success comes from successful habits
Your thoughts are building your world
Everything you presently are – you built
What you think, you are
You will instinctively choose to walk in the direction of your dominant thoughts
Here are some more:
What you consistently think about will produce spontaneous actions
Your thoughts control everything you do
Thoughts are the language of your inner world
Thoughts are God’s way of communicating with us from His eternity
You can check out Steve here - http://www.stevepenny.org/
And his books are here with an online shopping cart - http://www.stevepenny.org/products-page/
Your mind is greatest untamed frontier of humanity. So many of us want to live a life of success, but we think success comes from the outside. Learn how to live from your inner world out – rather than from your outer world in – and discover the ETERNAL PLAN for you. Your life here on Earth will only be fulfilled once you gain control of your inner world.
Your mental attitude is the X factor that determines your destiny. You can’t improve your outer world until you’ve renovated your inner world. When you control your mind, you control the way you live. When you renew your mind from wrong thinking, a whole new way of living begins to materialize before your eyes.
This book reveals simple steps that will show you how to bring your thoughts into subjections to your will. You can control your thoughts. You can enjoy a life full of, love, joy and peace.
So make up your mind today that you want to be in control of the real you – your mind. Take the first step now to change your mind… to change your world!
And it is VERY HARD to put down!
Check out some these quotes:
Success comes from the inside
Success comes from successful habits
Your thoughts are building your world
Everything you presently are – you built
What you think, you are
You will instinctively choose to walk in the direction of your dominant thoughts
Here are some more:
What you consistently think about will produce spontaneous actions
Your thoughts control everything you do
Thoughts are the language of your inner world
Thoughts are God’s way of communicating with us from His eternity
You can check out Steve here - http://www.stevepenny.org/
And his books are here with an online shopping cart - http://www.stevepenny.org/products-page/
Your mind is greatest untamed frontier of humanity. So many of us want to live a life of success, but we think success comes from the outside. Learn how to live from your inner world out – rather than from your outer world in – and discover the ETERNAL PLAN for you. Your life here on Earth will only be fulfilled once you gain control of your inner world.
Your mental attitude is the X factor that determines your destiny. You can’t improve your outer world until you’ve renovated your inner world. When you control your mind, you control the way you live. When you renew your mind from wrong thinking, a whole new way of living begins to materialize before your eyes.
This book reveals simple steps that will show you how to bring your thoughts into subjections to your will. You can control your thoughts. You can enjoy a life full of, love, joy and peace.
So make up your mind today that you want to be in control of the real you – your mind. Take the first step now to change your mind… to change your world!
How You Can Say "I am the Greatest!" - Muhammad Ali
World champion boxer Muhammad Ali was asked "what would you do if you were not a boxer?"
He replied, "If I was a garbage man I would be the best garbage man in the world."
If you are wildly passionate about becoming the best then you will always be looked after.
Over to you, go now and be the best at what you are doing!
PS - here is a clue - it will cost you/require and investment!
He replied, "If I was a garbage man I would be the best garbage man in the world."
If you are wildly passionate about becoming the best then you will always be looked after.
Over to you, go now and be the best at what you are doing!
PS - here is a clue - it will cost you/require and investment!
How to Really Connect - Using The Conversation Prism - Brian Solis
If you want to be more effective as a communicator or you are wanting to understand the strategic impact of social media then this post is for YOU!
I came across this very useful model recently called The Conversation Prism developed by Brian Solis.
It is all about the "art of listening, learning and sharing.
It is well worth clicking on this image and having a very close look at the diverse components.
Solis notes that "understanding that the Social Web is far more extensive than Twitter, blogs, and Facebook.... brand managers search across the entire Web using listening services or the methodologies rife within the Conversation Prism to locate where influential dialogue transpires."
You can check more about the Conversation Prism here - http://theconversationprism.com/
I came across this very useful model recently called The Conversation Prism developed by Brian Solis.
It is all about the "art of listening, learning and sharing.
It is well worth clicking on this image and having a very close look at the diverse components.
Solis notes that "understanding that the Social Web is far more extensive than Twitter, blogs, and Facebook.... brand managers search across the entire Web using listening services or the methodologies rife within the Conversation Prism to locate where influential dialogue transpires."
You can check more about the Conversation Prism here - http://theconversationprism.com/
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