Dare To Dream

The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those who
merely read, talk or day dream. Action is the key.

Okay I want you to answer this question:

“In December of last year did you achieve all you set out
to achieve in January of the same year?”

This is a ‘yes or no’ answer, so don’t spend too long
considering it.

The answer, of course, is ‘no’ - unless you are a
pathological liar!

Next question: “Did you set out to achieve anything last
year?”

Aha! Now that’s a more interesting question I think.

Deciding at the start of a year that you want to achieve a
certain result by the end of that year, is an example of
our old friend goal-setting.

High-performance people set goals. Winners set goals.
Losers never set goals. Why? Because it takes about 20
minutes of concentrated effort to write down your goals,
and losers have far more important things to do than this.
It interferes with valuable boozing time, for example. Such
a task would take up nearly a whole episode of a soap
opera. You could read a trash newspaper from cover to cover
in this time.

But there is a more important reason why many people don’t
write goals. It is this. Writing goals commits you to
action, otherwise there is little point in writing them.

Turning your dreams (goals) into reality will not happen
automatically. It will require work and effort.

“Ohmygod!!! WORK, and EFFORT??? Forget it man! I’m not
writing down anything on a piece of paper which will commit
me to that!”

This is why people do not set goals (write down their
dreams). They cannot bear to have that piece of paper
leering at them in silent accusation as the months tick by.

But what is at stake here? Nothing less than undreamed of
wealth, unlimited happiness, and a totally fulfilled life.
Perhaps more importantly, you can meet your fear head on
and live like a warrior, not a frightened rabbit.

The older I get the more I wonder what the hell we’re all
so afraid of. Like you, I travel the world and see or hear
about real problems; murder, torture, death, disease and
starvation. Then I return to this grey, stuffy country to
witness intelligent and privileged people wasting their
lives away down the pub or propped in front of the TV
screen for (on average) four hours each night! Unbelievable!

And these people are also timid beyond belief. They are
completely risk-averse and will run bleating to the
authorities if the tiniest upset ruffles the calm waters of
their uneventful lives. I am saying all this in the hope
that it will make you shudder. None of it applies to you,
of course.

Achieving great wealth and happiness starts with having a
dream. Today’s dreams are surely tomorrow’s realities. So
you blew it last year? You have a chance to redeem yourself
this year - if you have the guts of course.

Got any fight left in you, or have you thrown in the towel
long ago? Are you a shivering, frightened little mouse or a
human being prepared to fight and win? Are you going to
spend the rest of this year bleating and moaning about how
you cannot succeed? Or are you going to do something about
making your own success a reality?

Are you prepared to fight?

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For the complete article please visit www.eshopwindow.com
or get the 6 Action Steps Necessary For Success at
www.eshopwindow.com/contact.htm.

———————————————————–

Finding Inspiration

According to dictionary.com, the word inspire means to affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. Every successful person has been inspired by one thing or another and didn`t become successful with their own beliefs. They were influenced to act in a certain way in achieving their goals that they`ve sat out for. So what factors will cause you to feel the need for inspiration? This article will discuss these factors and explain how being inspired is not only beneficial in bodybuilding, but in everything else you do as well.

The most influential time in a person`s life of becoming inspired is when they`ve hit rock bottom and everything they`ve done or are currently doing is unsuccessful. They learn about other people`s problems and what methods they used to overcome them. Their attitude, determination, and focus inspires the person to believing that he or she can overcome the problem and finally creates a plan in moving forward. If someone believes that there is no way out of a situation, then they are probably not going to solve their problem. It all starts with a positive attitude and the person`s ability to stay positive under all circumstances.

A good example of someone that`s inspired is a person that cannot control their food habits and have reached the point of obesity. This person cannot overcome their eating problem if they are not inspired to lose weight or go on a diet. It`s the same thing with the 130 pound skinny guy. He gets depressed because he is to skinny and becomes inspired to gain muscle mass after reading Flex. There are other examples, of course, but the point here is that without inspiration, nothing great is possible.

You can also become inspired in anything else you do in life. Whether it be your job, schoolwork, what kind of car you drive, how big your house is, and even quitting smoking. Again, your life may be in a hole, but by envying what others have, you then have the mindset that if a certain person has something great, then why can`t you have something great as well. Even if you don`t currently have something that you really want, it`s still relaxing when you think about having it.

Be careful not to confuse inspiration with jealousy. Jealousy is getting upset over the things another person has, inspiration is admiring the traits of others and doing whatever it takes to become that way. You need to set yourself with a positive mindset. What is it that you want right now? A better car, job, doing better at school. It could be anything. Look at people who have things that you want and study how those people became successful. It`s much easier than trying to walk the path alone.

*http://www.worldofinspiration.com/

*http://www.healingfromdepression.com/listening.htm

*http://www.successories.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/dir_product.price_brand_title_sku/price_id/5/
brand_id/bf2c41c3-27ee-40e7-833a-589a6e9dddfc/product_id/1f2a352d-78ac-4881-9ba0-33d29cdc28bd/PowerofInspiration.cfm

*http://www.cycnet.com/englishcorner/practical/inspiration.htm

*http://www.wayfareronline.com/inspirations/

MY SITES: WWW.CLUBBODYBUILDING.COM and WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/BASHORE69/BODYBUILDINGARTICLES.HTML

THE BOOK “BODYBUILDING FOR ROOKIES” WILL BE RELEASED AUGUST 12.

Mitigating Factors

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 30, 2002

I am writing for advice on a personal dilemma of the most personal nature. I am male, mid-40s, married 20 years.

After all these years, I still long to make love to my wife two or three times per week, while she seems to prefer two or three times per year, if ever. Best I can tell, she no longer enjoys making love whatsoever and hasn’t for the last 10 years.

While all this seems dismal, the problem I am seeking advice on is more a moral issue. First, let me make sure you know that I have been faithful to my wife since the day I met her. I would never consider sex outside my marriage vows. That goes against every moral fiber of my being.

Additionally, pornographic materials and gentlemen’s clubs go against my beliefs and would only make matters worse. I will say after all these years I do understand why some men succumb to weakness and fall prey to sex outside their marriage.

Please do not tell me to have a meaningful conversation with my wife. I tried that and failed miserably. In February 2000, after years of trying to get through to her, I felt I couldn’t take it anymore. I told her I long for the intimacy only a married couple can share.

She offered no reason, except she is always tired and has too much on her plate. While I acknowledge that she shoulders plenty of responsibility with work and home, she can find the time to walk the dogs or work herself to the bone on something that can wait until tomorrow.

I pleaded with her to get whatever physical, medical, emotional or psychological help she might need to get our marriage back on track. I offered to attend any sessions she felt comfortable with me participating in.

I offered to do anything in our lovemaking that would make it more enjoyable for her. I told her I would not pressure her into making love, but would wait for her to let me know when she was ready.

For four weeks things improved as we made love three times. However, she never sought outside help and began to fall into her old comfortable habits. Over the next 17 months we made love only another six times with most coming at my insistence.

I finally gave up keeping track and gave up on her caring enough to change. Short of divorce, how do I relieve my sexual tension without compromising my beliefs and myself?

Marshall

Marshall, rules make sense in context. One rule most people believe in is “Thou shalt not kill.” However, if you must kill a man to defend your wife and children, most people would say you haven’t violated the rule.

If a robber breaks into your home, collects your valuables and asks if you have anymore money, most people would say it is okay to lie. Why? Because rules only make sense in context. Otherwise the person with the lower standard always gets to win.

From society’s point of view, marriage is the best possible context for sexuality to be expressed. Marriage attaches sex to love and a caring, committed relationship, and two people are present to raise the children.

You don’t believe in divorce, yet you have contemplated adultery. Why? Because something which belongs in your marriage is not there. “Keep thee only unto him” absolutely means don’t cheat, but it does not mean “Don’t let him have it either.”

Your wife will not honestly tell you what is on her mind, and you have suggested every possible solution. As a result, you are estranged from the person you should be most closely bonded to.

It is time to apply your ideas about marriage and divorce to your current specific situation and decide what is right. Rules only make sense in context.

Wayne & Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

Are You Doing Your Best?

Motivational stories are all around us. Some are well known because they’ve captured the attention of television, film directors or writers. However, there are many we’ll never hear about because people overcome and rise beyond their limitations all over the world and their experiences are not covered by the media.

I’ve run across several stories of heroism and living beyond limits lately. Maybe it is because of the holiday season as people tend to reflect on the past year, their own lives and what the future can be.

As I viewed these amazing stories I began to wonder; once again, why these stories move us so much. Just about everyone in life has some obstacle to overcome whether it’s physical, mental or emotional. Our individual journeys are filled with experiences that cause us to learn, grow and cultivate ourselves along the way. Of course, that doesn’t mean we do grow because we have the option to turn away from and ignore these lessons if we choose to. But, what is it that moves us when we watch other people’s stories of success and overcoming adversity? After viewing yet another “human interest” story about a man who has only stubs for arms and legs and yet lives an amazing life; the question that came to me was, “Are we really doing our best?” People who don’t have the physical limitations others do manage to find ways to not give their all to life. We find excuses, allow our fears and let our old habits prevent us from living the full life we say we want.

The amazing stories we see and read about touch us because they strike a chord of the human spirit to live and excel no matter what. These people are driven to follow their dreams, keep themselves on track and don’t give up. They are not afraid to fail or receive support from others.

I believe this is the reason we have such a strong reaction to those far less fortunate than we are yet who’ve managed to live wonderful lives full of love, activity and without regret. When asked what he wanted most, the man in the story I was watching simply said, “I have a heart, a mind and a soul. I have everything I need”. We have all been given the gift of a heart, a mind and a soul. Are we doing the most we can with them or do we let doubt, fear and confusion get in the way? The stories of those who have overcome, sustained a wonderful life and have a deep sense of fulfillment are living testament to the power we have all been given. We have the opportunity every minute of every day to not only live the life we truly desire but to share it with others. We don’t have to wait for some event to jar us into this awareness. Look around you, your life is waiting. What will you do with the heart, mind and soul you already have?

David Breslow ©2005 All Rights Reserved

David is a Speaker/Facilitator/Performance Coach and Author of “Wired to Win”. He works with Athletes (PGA/LPGA) and Business (Ameritech, Motorola, etc.) to help people perform at the ‘top of their game” His approach is not “business as usual”. He focuses on “Human Performance Competencies” to create faster shifts in how people think, feel and perform every day.

David has appeared on The Golf Channel, ESPN radio and has spoken to all size businesses across the country. Book orders: 888.280.7715. To learn more about presentations or workshops, call: 847.681.1698 or email: david@theflowzone.net or visit the web: http://www.theflowzone.net

Are We Ever Really Alone?

A new twist on a familiar quote - Chances are you’ve heard the term “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” I happen to like this quote, the only thing about it is the more life experiences I pick up the more I tend to realize that it’s actually only true to a degree.

I can hear it now being repeated from behind thousands of computer keyboards across the Internet, “Who the heck do you think you are to challenge the age old wisdom in that quote?”. Ok, I’ll give you that much

But bear with me for a second and ponder the quote for just a bit. On the surface it says that we must stand strong and push towards what we want if we wish to see it manifest in our lives (notice the emphasis on having to go it alone). However, upon deeper thinking it kind of leaves a feeling that we are all alone in our efforts, doesn’t it?

Here’s the challenge though…

Think back to any time in your life where you were truly all alone in your efforts. Also you have to remember that when I say truly alone I mean to the point that it was just you and you alone.

This means you can’t count intervention from your friends, preacher, priest, nun, mentor, friends, words of encouragement that might have come from a book or tape (because in reality these are a form of another person sharing their knowledge with us).

You get the idea now I hope. We are never really all alone. No matter how dark and destitute our situation might appear to us I promise you if you will take the time to reach out someone will be there to help you over the bumps!

I should warn you though, help is likely to come from the most unexpected places. However, that’s one of the most amazing things about life isn’t it?

– Here’s to your success, Josh Hinds

About The Author:

Josh Hinds of http://GetMotivation.com specializes in helping people to achieve maximum success and live the life of their dreams. He is also the co-founder of http://AudioMotivation.com - visit now to hear leading motivational speakers and authors share their tips and advice with you.