At the begining of each year I take a little time to reflect.(emphasis on little as there are tons of work waiting.) With all the turmoil of the past year(my condolences to Tiger Woods), many seem to view 2010 with some trepidation.
While this is understandable, I feel it is both unnecessary and counter productive. Live with moderation, think creatively, and recognise a higher power in the universe, that is my suggestion. I you have difficulty with thinking positively, read a book on the subject. Start by writing down all the reasons you have to be thankful, and use this as your launching pad for making 2010 your best year yet.
I wish to thank all my clients for availing themselves of our services during this past year. I wish all my brides and grooms and their families health, wealth and happiness as they make their lives together. I wish to thank my fantastic wife for her unwavering support and hard work in making our company a success. I wish to thank God for the health, strength, creativity and other numerous blessings he continues to bestow on us.
I wish to thank my parents for the education and background they gave me. I always had a very stable family life growing up, and I have inherited my Dad's disdain for mediocrity.
I pause here to mention a photographer, Collin Reid, who in my estimation is the top PR photographer in Jamaica today. My mentor in many ways, Colin shares everything, his experience, his trade secrets, his time and his cash. I seriously treasure our association and thank him publicly for all the valuable insights he readily shares with me.
As we move forward, remember that our life is what we make it. Don't sit down cursing your life, your boss, your government or the economy and getting depressed, do something. I genuinely enjoy my life and my lifestyle, my job and my family and resolve to continue to do so regardless of the economy, the government or bad-minded people(and there are plenty of those). May you be similarly blessed...
Friday, January 08, 2010
Life's Lessons(Colin Powell)
My wife sent me the following e-mail this morning which is attributed to Colin Powell. I think it is an excellent way to live. While not easy, it is how I live my life. I share it here for your benefit:
The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that dont help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that dont increase you will eventually decrease you.
Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.
Don’t follow anyone who is not going anywhere. With some people, you spend an evening. With others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.
"A mirror reflects a man's face. But what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate- for the good and the bad. BE NOT MISTAKEN! This is applicable to family as well as friends. Yes, do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family- for they will always be your family. Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.
"In prosperity, our friends know us. In adversity, we know our friends." "Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them." "If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, develop the habit in little matters." - Colin Powell
The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that dont help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that dont increase you will eventually decrease you.
Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.
Don’t follow anyone who is not going anywhere. With some people, you spend an evening. With others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.
"A mirror reflects a man's face. But what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate- for the good and the bad. BE NOT MISTAKEN! This is applicable to family as well as friends. Yes, do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family- for they will always be your family. Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.
"In prosperity, our friends know us. In adversity, we know our friends." "Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them." "If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, develop the habit in little matters." - Colin Powell
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