If Only...

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." ~ Abraham Lincoln.

I had a friend once - He died - and I think of Sam every time someone says - "If only..." Sam was a simple soldier and he had this way of looking at things that set him apart from the rest of us. His attitude, actions, and example spoke volumes about who he was. "It doesn't matter what happens. What we have or where we are in life isn't important" he used to say - "It doesn't matter what tools or teachings we get - It's How We Respond to People, Conditions, Obstacles and Opportunities that determines how happy and successful we're going to be." ~ "It's not the stuff in life that matters it's our Mindset."

Now I know this is all pretty simple and obvious - but powerful truths usually are. I never once heard Sam say "If only" and I kind of think it was because he knew that the real secret of happiness, success and all the other stuff that makes life worthwhile is...

SAM ~ Simply A Mindset.

The Eyes.

"The successful man is the average man with laser like focus."
~ Bruce Lee.

"It's all about the eyes" ~ "Look Into Their Eyes". The First Sergeant was trying to teach me something important and so... I listened.

A man either has the "Thousand yard stare" or the "Eye of the Tiger" there is no in between, he said. The thousand yard stare is the look that battle weary soldiers get when they dissassociate themselves ~ when it all gets too much to handle and their mind goes someplace else. The eye of the tiger, on the other hand, is that steely, laser focused, stare that drills right through circumstance, conditions and obstacles to an objective. Our Focus Determines Our Reality and...

The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul.

Most People Say...

"The majority see the obstacles, the few see the objectives."

~ Alfred A Montapert.

What's the difference between a kindred spirit and most people?

Have you ever noticed what most people say - When we achieve or accomplish less than we can? ~ Most people say ~ "Take It Easy ~ Relax ~ It's OK." Their response is nice, supportive and comforting. It validates our effort. But does it help? That depends on how we internalize what most people say. If we are like most people ~ we appreciate the validation. If we're not well... ~ We don't appreciate it.

Why? ~ Because we know we can always do better. When we do less than we know we can ~ Our kindred spirit says to us ~ It's Not OK.

Unless we, and our kindred spirit, are like most people.

Quit Whining.

" Firmness in enduring and exertion is a character I always wish to possess. I have always despised the whining yelp of complaint." ~ Robert Burns.

One of the most underrated treasures any of us can have in our life is a friend who talks straight. A man, or woman, who tells it like they see it and doesn't sugar coat stuff. I will never forget the words of such a friend when "Gunny" sat listening to my whining after a difficult day at work. What was his response to my sad lament about how tough things were? ~ "Isn't that your job?" What would other professions say if they had the courage to talk as straightforward to us?

Doctor ~ Here's your prescription "Work harder and you'll feel better."

News Anchor ~ "Here's what was on the internet yesterday."

Politician ~ "I sell fear."

Consultant ~ "Here's what you already know but aren't willing to do."

Self Help Guru ~ "Here's your crutch."

A Good Friend ~ "Quit Whining."

Wanna Be A Leader?

"The price of greatness is responsibility." ~ Winston S. Churchill.

What are the characteristics of a GREAT leader?

When a team, company, or any organization falls short of expectations a great leader accepts TOTAL & UNCONDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
With success ~ Every team member should be saying "WE DID IT" and Individually each team member should be thinking "I DID IT".

A great leaders legacy is simply the PEOPLE they've influenced ~ and the only way anyone can truly influence others is by EXAMPLE.

Wanna Be A Leader? ~ Stop Sucking Your Thumb and Grow Up. ~
If you're any good ~ People will always think they did it themselves.

Mind & Emotion.

"The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it..." ~ Nicholas Sparks.

I have a feeble mind.

Led by notions, beliefs, and images that are held dear. Thoughts that drive. Thoughts of good and evil. It's a mind moved by emotion.

On September 11, 2001, and the days following, that mind was tested as emotions took over. Confusion, anger, revenge, determination, sadness and a flood of feelings threatened this simple soldiers mind. Like any old soldier threatened ~ In the days and weeks to come training took charge. A mind trained to ask itself one simple question:

What's my mission? ~ Years after the arena had moved from battle to business the mission remained ~ To defend, protect, and encourage that which I value and love. To recognize and support good in people and fight the evil. To multiply the force by winning hearts & minds.

Lives are driven by emotion - Minds follow according to training.

Take good actions and fight the evil ones.

The Bottom Line.

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life." ~ James Allen.

With Money.

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money." ~ Benjamin Franklin.

It's perceived by some as a scorecard, an evil, a necessity and a luxury. The pursuit of it alone can drive and destroy those who see its acquisition as an accomplishment in itself. But to deny it's power to influence people and events is naive. Each of us looks at money, it's role, and how much it drives our behavior differently. It's neither good nor bad but how we perceive the role it plays in our lives can be.

With money ~

You can buy a house but not a home.
You can buy a clock but not time.
You can buy a bed but not sleep.
You can buy a book, but not knowledge.
You can buy medicine but not health.
You can buy position but not respect.
You can buy leisure but not life.