Thoughts 02AUG2013

THREE DAYS

During World War II General MacArthur called in one of his Army Engineers and asked : "How long will it take to throw a bridge across the river?" "Three days", the engineer told him. "Good", snapped the General. "Have your draftsman make drawings right away". Three days later the General sent for the engineer and asked how the bridge was coming along. "It's all ready", reported the engineer. "You can send your troops across right now if you don't have to wait for the plans. They ain't done yet".

Extracted from "Bits & Pieces", The Economic Press, Inc., Fairfield, New Jersey

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A joy that's shared is a joy made double : American Proverb

Thoughts 01AUG2013

ON DREAMS

All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind wake in the day to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible : T E Lawrence (1888 - 1935) Explorer and Writer - Cited in Bits & Pieces

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Dreams are wishes your heart makes : American Proverb

Thoughts 31JUL2013

CRITICISM

Are you crushed when your boss criticizes something you've done? Don't be. The very fact that your boss has taken time to criticize indicates a regard for you and a desire to help. If you accept it in this light, you'll get some good out of it. Unfortunately, most criticism by supervisory management personnel is never expressed. Some executives feel that they are wasting their breath trying to change people who should know better. Other managers don't have the courage or sense of duty to speak up. They silently let people who make mistakes dig their own graves : extracted from "Bits & Pieces", The Economic Press, Inc., Fairfield, New Jersey, USA

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Each day provides its own gifts : American Proverb

Thoughts 30JUL2013

LONG LIVE

Want to live to be 100? The American Medical Association has looked into the reasons centenarians give for their long lives. It didn't come up with any sure answers - and even found conflicting life-styles among the respondents. The AMA does pass along these traits, though, as ones that most of the men and women seem to have in common : an easy-going disposition, a quick sense of humour and the desire to keep as busy as possible - physically and mentally.

Source Unknown - extracted from "Bits & Pieces", The Economic Press, Inc., Fairfield New Jersey

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If you don't have a plan for yourself, you'll be a part of someone's else's : American Proverb

Thoughts 29JUL2013

LITTLE THINGS

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes.

The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys.

But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures.

A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear.

A four-pound bass. A full moon.

An empty parking space. A crackling fire.

A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold drinks.

Don't fret about coping life's grand awards.

Enjoy its tiny delights.

There are plenty for all of us.

A message as published in the Wall Street Journal (1982) by United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, Connecticut 06101

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If you really want something you can figure out how to make it happen : Cher

Thoughts 26JUL2013

MARRIAGE ADVICE FROM 1886

Let your love be stronger than your hate or anger. Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break. Believe the best than the worst. People have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them. Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship. The person you choose to marry is deserving of the courtesies and kindness you bestow on your friends. Please hand this down to your children and your children's children : The more things change the more they are the same.

Jane Wells (1886) : submitted by Carol Abbs; extracted from "Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul", Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne & Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc., 1996

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Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit : Conrad Hilton

Thoughts 25JUL2013

DREAMS

All men and women are born, to live, suffer and die; what distinguishes us one from another is our dreams, whether they be dreams about worldly or unworldly things, and what we do to make them come about ... We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we live : Joseph Epstein

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Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing : Theodore Roosevelt, Speech in Chicago, 3rd April 1903

Thoughts 24JUL2013

ON EXAMPLE

A Chinese General put it this way :

If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must first be changed. If my nation is to be changed, my home town must be made over. If my home town is to be reordered, my family must first be set right. If my family is to be regenerated, I myself must first be.

A Purnell Bailey - extracted from "Speaker's Sourcebook II", Glen Van Ekeren, Prentice Hall, 1994

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I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do

Helen Keller

Thoughts 23JUL2013

I WILL

I will think of better ways.

I will develop ways to achieve positive attitude.

I will keep reviewing my goals.

I will accept what I cannot change.

I will learn from my mistakes.

I will start living.

I will smile.

I will relax.

I will be happy.

I will enjoy.

I will be honest to myself.

I will remain humble.

I will put myself in the other person's shoes.

extracted from "Management Thoughts" by Promiod Batra, Golden Books Centre Sdn Bhd, reprinted 1995

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A love that can last forever takes but a second to come about : Cuban Proverb

Thoughts 22JUL2013

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH ?!?

The rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find the southern fisherman lying lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe. "Why aren't you out fishing?" said the industrialist. "Because I have caught enough fish for the day", said the fisherman. "Why don't you catch some more?" "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money" was the industrialist's reply. "With that you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough to buy nylon nets. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to own two boats ... maybe even a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me." "What would I do then?" asked the fisherman. "Then you could really enjoy life." "What do you think I am doing right now?"

Anthony deMello : extracted from "Chicken Soup Series, Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen, Health Communications Inc, 1995

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Dream different dreams while on the same bed : Chinese Proverb