Morning Inspiration

Grace - the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

Whether you're a believer or not; there's no denying that we all have experienced a time or occasion whereas we were granted with something, or treated in someway, that was greater that what we deserved.

Yesterday during lunch, I listened attentively while the CFO of the company I work for shared with us a part of his awesome testimony. At one point, he said (paraphrasing), "In the bible, you hear stories of God's people worshiping him- crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy" all day long. I've come to a place where I can just be grateful of every moment and sincerely worship and praise God for his grace over my life." It was a powerful moment.

Another thing he said was that at his turning point, he saw a bible sitting near him and he picked it up- as if he wasn't even in worthy enough of a condition to open it; yet, he did and was forever affected by that day. It was a statement that I could thoroughly relate to. Sometimes we're so hard on ourselves for our mistakes or shortcomings, and we don't realize that each and every day (and moment) we are given the opportunity to do something different and be greater. At times, we fail to believe in ourselves and take advantage of the grace that we're given.

So, today my inspiration comes from Grace- more specifically, the Grace of God over my life. I'm encouraging myself by saying, "I am worthy to receive the best in life, and I am strong and good enough - and destined - to make that journey to getting there." Furthermore, reflecting upon all that I have made it through, by grace I have made it this far (at times, felt like I wandered this far) but with faith and perseverance I will boldly step forward with purpose acknowledging that if it weren't for that grace, I would never have this opportunity. Who am I to gamble it away by not deliberately pursuing my goals and purpose?

Good Morning!

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So too at the present time there is a remnant (a small believing minority), selected (chosen) by grace (by God's unmerited favor and graciousness). But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless].
Romans 11: 5-6

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4: 16

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Morning Inspiration

Sometimes it becomes extremely tedious and frustrating trying to find ways to market a product or service - especially in an inexpensive and efficient way. But, this morning one of my best friends sent me an article called: "6 Secrets Millionaires Know That You Don't" (Oct 2006) from Entrepreneur.com. It may have been written almost 4 years ago, but it's certainly contains relevant and significant material for every entrepreneur to keep in mind.

It's very first point is about Marketing: "Everything is Marketing". At times we underestimate our strengths, which may come in the form of our detailed work ethic, stellar skills, outgoing personalities, unique fashion style- and often good looks can be the starting point to conversation and potential marketing opportunity. It doesn't take a billion bucks to establish your brand- it's about being a self-starter who can make something more out of everything they have at hand.

It's been said many ways (http://bible.cc/proverbs/18-16.htm) but one way that stands out to me is: "A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people." (Proverbs 18:16) When you give your best in whatever you do- people notice- and it puts you in a better position to reach your goals and meet your potential. We have to actively increase our network and find ways to brand; and ALL THE TIME.

As the Entrepreneur.com article says, "Don't wait until you're going hungry to replant the garden."

Good Morning!

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Morning Inspiration

Happiness is an emotion that I want to resonate through everything that I do and every moment of every day. In times where it comes difficult for me to find the joy in life- it's always great to have people in my life that make me smile. Some can make me smile by just seeing their name on my phone, others that I haven't heard from in a while may send me a message checking up on me and letting me know that they care- It's always a great thing to have people around you that can make you smile and even better to be able to give others a smile when they need it the most..


"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo F. Buscaglia


Good Morning!

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Morning Inspiration

Avoidance has always been my vice of choice when it comes to confrontation. Though experience has taught me to confront people and situations, it always is a choice that I have to consciously make for myself. Problems never disappear when you ignore them. It's always best to be honest and upfront- dealing with situations before they consume your life and build stress.


"An avoidance of true communication is tantamount to a relinquishment of my self-being; if I withdraw from it I am betraying not only the other but myself." ~Karl Jaspers


Good Morning!

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Morning Inspiration

A great story about how you can change your life by picking your own self up when you're down, and revamping your course: Og Mandino

http://ogmandino.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=311

Some inspiring quotes of his that I absolutely love are:

"I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids. With these words I can condition my mind to perform every action necessary for my success. I will act now. I will repeat these words again and again and again. I will walk where failures fear to walk. I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person."

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”

"Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today. Go another mile!"

Good Morning!

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/21/AR2010022103863.html

This is a great article I came across on the Washington Post about a 45 year-old woman named Karen Edwards who owns a printing company in Gaithersburg called Milestone Consulting Printing and Design Network (McPadnet). It definitely has some great pointers on sales and maintaining relationships with your clientele.

In the interview with the article author, Tom Heath, she says, "Any great sales person is always prospecting. I know my husband wishes we could go out to eat once without my critiquing the paper, font and ink of the menu. I am prospecting if my eyes are open."

I definitely walked away from reading the article with a list of things I want to implement, policy and theory-wise, with my business. Check it out! >>

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Morning Inspiration

One of the most essential needs of an entrepreneur is positive energy and inspiration. We encourage ourselves daily and grab hold of whatever we can to remain motivated, consistent, driven, and productive- and when the inspiration can't easily be attained from our immediate environments, we dig deeper and we find that motivation. We create an environment for ourselves that is conducive to the achievement of our goals.

Every morning, a good friend of mine sends me inspirational quotes- and every morning I benefit from the message of those quotes throughout my day. On occasion, I may find myself somewhere like church, or in a class, or around a person that may give me an extra push to succeed and follow my dreams. This weekend, I attended a dance workshop and was greatly uplifted and encouraged when the guest instructor, Freddie Moore said about his own life, "I have to constantly train my body and perfect my gift because God isn't done with me yet."

Yesterday, I left with the realization that I cannot allow thoughts of discouragement and inadequacy have any place in my life. I have to actively create an environment around myself that enables me to be successful. I have to be the driving force in my life that brings light and energy in my life- not the other way around. I can't just wait to be inspired- I have to take it upon myself to contain, find, and build inspiration and encouragement within my own self each and every day- and hold on it at every moment and share it with others.

This morning, I was inspired by several quotes by Norman Vincent Peale. He was a minister, a psychoanalyst, a writer, an entrepreneur, and believed: "change your thoughts and you change your world." He is best known for his book entitled, The Power of Positive Thinking (1952). Many quotes from the book are very inspirational:

"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself succeeding. Hold the picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture."

"Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow."

"Think enthusiastically about everything, but especially about your job. If you do, you'll put a touch of glory in your life. If you love your job, with enthusiasm, you'll shake it to pieces. You'll love it into greatness."

Some people dwell on their problems and weaknesses, but I truly believe in finding a place- where even in those moments where things are not ideal- I can find hope, peace, and power to endure. That is the kind of life I choose to live, and those who choose the same are the kind of people that I choose to surround myself with.

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