I hope that my achievements in life shall be these – that I will have fought for what was right and fair, that I will have risked for that which mattered, and that I will have given help to those who were in need, that I will have left the earth a better place for what I’ve done and who I’ve been. – C. Hoppe
Self Help Daily
Self Improvement Advice From a Rocking Chair in North Carolina
In a recent newsletter article, author Mary Southerland told about an experience she’d had several years ago. She was living in the mountains of North Carolina (a breathtakingly beautiful part of the country). One of her passions was old-world country stores and the gorgeous handmade “treasures” that filled them.
On one occasion, she was exploring some off roads in search of just such treasure and found herself on a dirt road.
She saw a bearded man sitting on the porch in a rocker with a pile of wooden logs by his side. By the porch railing she noticed a large collection of beautifully carved wooden dogs. The mountain artisan asked her to join him and to feel free to ask any questions.
As she tells it, she had only one, “How in the world do you carve these beautiful dogs out of those ordinary pieces of wood?”
His priceless response? “Well, Missy, it’s pretty simple. I just take me a piece of wood and cut away everything that doesn’t look like a dog.”
Hmph. So I’ve been searching and pondering and pondering and searching for years to put my finger on the secret to self improvement and a man in the mountains of North Carolina knew the secret the entire time?
I can see it now. He’d be sitting across from me at my dining room table. I’d pour him a cup of coffee and give him a slice of Coconut Cake. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind cats, because I’m sure Alexa would be all over him. I’d take a long drink of coffee and ask him, “So, what do you think is the secret to self improvement? Which do you think is more important, positive affirmations, visualization, or motivational speakers? What’s your favorite self help book and who’s your favorite self help author? Have you ever heard of vision boards? How do you feel about mood journals? — What? Oh, yes sir, God did give me the gift of gab. — What’s your favorite motivational quote? How do you feel about goal setting?”
Then, as he finished his Coconut Cake, he’d wipe his mouth and say, “Well, Missy, it’s pretty simple. I just take me a piece of wood and cut away everything that doesn’t look like a dog.”
I’d look at him the way my husband often looks at me, with question marks instead of pupils. I’d start to remind him that this was his approach to making wooden dogs… but then it’d hit me between my question marks. It’s also the way to making the life you want to make.
What if we took a look at our life and cut away everything that didn’t help us to become and be the person we wanted to be? The bad habits, the time-wasters, the worries, etc. You know, the junk! What if we carved away the unproductive and left only the productive?
I think we’d be left with our own little treasure.
A Great Quote About Habits by a Self Help Daily Favorite, Grenville Kleiser
“New habits make new horizons. Silently and imperceptibly you are forming habits which will ultimately determine the degree of you happiness and success.
Closely guard the quality of your thoughts, that they may lead to right habits and thence to right living. Recognize and use such supreme qualities as courage, faith, humility, loyalty, temperance, and integrity.” – Grenville Kleiser, Inspiration and Ideals, 1917
New habits make new horizons. What an amazing quote, what an amazing lesson. I honestly don’t have anything to add to what Grenville Kleiser said in 1917.
Click the following link for an article I just wrote on Out of Bounds. But first, write down Kleiser’s quote!
Quotes About Miracles: Instant Inspiration!
Have you ever taken a good look at your hopes and dreams and thought, “That one will take a miracle, this one will take two miracles, and that one? At least three. Maybe four!” We’ve all been there. Whether our hopes and dreams include a happy family, a bulldog puppy, a new house, a new job, meeting that special someone, a baby, etc.
There was a time in my own life when I tried not to hope for too much or dream dreams that were too big. Then I read a simple little quote that said, “Somewhere right now a miracle is happening.” That’s all it took. One simple little quote opened up my mind and heart to the very real possibility of miracles. Of course I always believed in them, but these words took up residence in my heart and have served as a reminder to me ever since.
If you have high hopes and dreams, I want you to find a way to hold on to them. Even when your arms get tired, don’t lower them. Heaven help the person or situation that’s up against an individual who believes in their dreams so much that they don’t just invite a miracle into their life, they stand at the door waiting for it.
I’ve rounded up what I think are some very powerful miracle quotes. If you’re needing that extra little encouragement right now, I hope you’ll find at least one quote that’ll help you. If waiting for your own miracle has drained you so much that you find yourself slumped over, let the words below prop you back up!
“I have found in life that if you want a miracle you first need to do whatever it is you can do – if that’s to plant, then plant; if it is to read, then read; if it is to change, then change; if it is to study, then study; if it is to work, then work; whatever you have to do. And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.” – Jim Rohn
“Impossible situations can become possible miracles.” – Robert H. Schuller
“Miracles happen to those who believe in them.” – Bernard Berenson
“For every mountain, there is a miracle.” – Robert H. Schuller
“Where there is great love there are always miracles.” – Willa Cather
“A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.” – Author Unknown
“I am realistic – I expect miracles.” – Wayne Dyer
“Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.” – Saint Augustine
What are your own thoughts about miracles? Share your thoughts, favorite quotes, or even personal miracles in the comments.
Chaos to Balance, A Life Changing Strategy by Raymond Salcido
I just finished reading the book Chaos to Balance – A Life Changing Strategy by Raymond Salcido. Yet another fascinating, thought-provoking book. Like I’ve said, I’m really on a roll with great books!
Do you know what first caught my eye about this particular book? The thing that made me know I HAD to read it? It wasn’t the bright, gorgeous colors (although I’m wild about them), it wasn’t the cool, peaceful vibe (even wilder about that), and it wasn’t even the words “peace, happiness, and balance” on the back cover – although they’re words I keep in my heart and mind 24/7. The thing that provoked me to read it (even though I was, at the time, swamped with books on my desk) was something the author had written on the back cover:
“Based on eighteen years of psychotherapy experience, Raymond Salcido has built a system that identifies and manages the four stages of chaos addiction, providing peace and balance in a world that seems out of control.”
…..chaos addiction? The concept fascinated me when I first read it and it fascinates me even more now, after reading the book and deciding that the author is right on the money. Many people are totally addicted to chaos, stress, imbalance, and turmoil.
And it’s killing them.
Chaos to Balance – A Life Changing Strategy includes scenarios, soul-searching questions, advice, and encouragement.
Best of all, it lays out a perfect strategy for bringing balance into a life that has forgotten what balance even feels like. If you recognize yourself in this description, I urge you to grab a copy of the book. It may very well be JUST the thing you need to turn your life around and get it back on track.
If you don’t recognize yourself in this description, buy the book anyway! Why, overly caffeinated Self Help Daily blogger with chocolate on her breath, would I do that? Because the pages are filled with advice that’ll make your great life even better and will put you on alert for things you should watch out for. This way, you can regain your balance the minute it begins to slip!
This is a great read, you’ll learn a great deal.