Thought For Day - Get Your Finances in Shape

"Who's responsible for your financial situation? You Are. No really, You are."

Now is a good time to commit to getting your financial house in order. Here are two online resources.

http://www.daveramsey.com/

http://www.suzeorman.com/

Thought For Day - Power of Questions

"Always make Your Questions Bigger Than Your Answers"
For some people, their entire sense of security and self-image depends on having all the answers -- on never being wrong. As a result, these people try to understand everything in terms of what they know. But all growth lies in the territory of the unknown. What we already know is in the past. What we have yet to discover is the future. Always make your questions bigger than your answers, and you'll keep drawing yourself into a bigger future with new possibilities.
Dan Sullivan

Thought For Day - Attitude is Everything

I received this from my cousin Sharon who is facing some rather large challenges. Yet she always has a smile and a word of encouragement. She is a ray of sunshine on a rainy Irish day.
She really exemplifies the message of this post. So I share it with you....

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
'H-M-M,' she said,
'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed
that she had only one hair on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going
to wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed
that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed.
'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle .

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly......Walk with God

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...



It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Just Another Day in Paradise - Personal Ramblings

Seventeen years ago I made a big decision to change my life and I drove cross country from New York to California to start a new life. The change was dramatic although it wasn't easy. I arrived with less than $100 in my pocket and had to scramble quickly to survive. With a little help from my friends I survived and strived. Yet no matter how hard it was and it was, I felt like I had gone on a permanent vacation. Maybe it was the weather or the feeling of possibilities I got from the open spaces, the ocean and the mountains but whatever it was I still feel that sense of being on vacation after all these years.

Every day seems like another "Day in Paradise". Now part of that is what I've chosen to focus on and appreciate.

Yesterday was an example. I started the day participating in and cooking at a a Father's Day Breakfast at my daughter's school. The day started with some light showers and turned out great. We had a great time, Later that evening we went to a BBQ at a Horse Ranch where my daughter takes riding lessons. They had a fun Murder Mystery that reminded me of the ones I acted in when I first arrived in California, It was a great day.

So life is good and I feel grateful for the life I have and I know it all started because I overcame my fear seventeen years ago and took a big risk to move to California and go out on a limb to change my life. I have no regrets and hope to be able to always call on the courage to take the future risks I need to take.

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2 - Hope You Dance

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1 - Haddaway

"Life"

Thought For Day - Larger, Brighter Future

'Always Make Your Future Bigger Than Your Past"
Dan Sullivan

This philosophy is the opposite of "Glory Days' and living in the past. Your job is to create a brighter compelling future for yourself that will surpass your past.

Thought For Day - Entrepreneurship is the Way to Go

As the father of a young daughter it's great to read the following,

"... the latest statistics show women own almost half, or 10.1 million, of small businesses nationwide, and generate about $2 trillion in revenue."
Entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs are major driving forces in our economy. Things have changed a lot in my lifetime in this regard.

Thought For Day - Nothing is Simple

"Nothing is Simple"
JD

Just when you thought Soy was the wonder product research is showing the some serious problems with it. Some of the negative reviews are not that new. So is it good or bad? Time to do a little research and make the decision for yourself. Everyone has something to sell but it's up to you to do the work and decide do you want to buy it and is all the hype just that hype.
Life is complex. Educate yourself and be critical. It's your life....
So nothing is simple don't you be simple....

http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/28/eating-soy-linked-to-lowered-sperm-count

http://www.electroherbalism.com/Naturopathy/Therapies/Diet/Soy/NewestResearchonwhyYouShouldAvoidSoy.htm

Thought For Day - Gratitude - A Daily Habit

"Make Gratitude a Daily Habit"
JD



I've made it a regular habit for a while now to take the time every day to be thankful and grateful for all I have in my life. Recently I received the Irish/Celtic bronze stone as a gift from my cousin and I use it to remind myself every day of all the blessings in my life especially being reunited with my family in Ireland and Europe. I try to share this attitude of gratitude with my daughter as well.

I know there are those who believe that we attract that which focus on and I would say it seems true in my life. But even if it wasn't true it is still worthwhile to put things in perspective and recognize all that is great in your life every day.

Today given the financial challenges the country is facing might be especially a good day to remind ourselves of what we do have and recognize that there is always a spring after a cold winter.

So what are you grateful today? Maybe it's your family or friends or health or so many other things. So take the time and make it a habit.

Thought For Day - Keep Your Priorities In Order

"First comes my God, second comes my wife, third comes my kids and fourth comes my job. I know if I lose a football game on Sunday I have a lot left over."
Dallas Cowboy's Coach Tom Landry
Are your priorities in order?

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2 - Led Zepplin

I remember this song from a "People's Concert" we sponsored in Poe's Park in the Bronx. it was played by a local band and that night I hooked up with my first girl friend. Long time ago.... colorful memories......

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1 - Gypsy Kings

Thought For Day - Time

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in a year as you make use of. One man gets only a week's value out of a year while another gets a full year's value out of a week."

- Charles Richards

Rumba & Street Music Blogs - A Colorful History of the Bronx and New York

My best friend who I grew up with in the South Bronx is sharing his 35 years as a conga player and his experiences with Rumba and percussion music on a couple of new blogs.

It's a fascinating history. I look forward to reading his stories. looking at his pictures and listening to the music videos of Rumba, Salsa and Latin Jazz on the blog site.

The blogs are taking us back to some some very colorful times and a colorful life....... The blogs are the work of a few lovers of the music. Check them out I'm sure you'll enjoy them.......



http://streetlevelproductions.blogspot.com

Rumba / Folkloric percussion site

http://sentimientomanana.blogspot.com/2008/09/rumba-university-of-streets.html

Thought For Day - Broad Shoulders

"Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. "
Jewish Proverb


Now is a good time to have broader shoulders and an understanding that better days are still ahead of us. Keep working to find the opportunity in the middle of difficulties.....

Thought For Day - Run Hard

"Run Hard When No One Is Watching"

"I try to apply this lesson to everything I do in life. I try to always behave as I would if people were watching"

Harold Ford Jr.

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Thought For Day - Never Too Late

“It is never too late to be who
you might have been.”
— George Eliot

Thought For Day - Your Past is Not Your Future

Your past does not not equal your future.