Meme – Inspirational Quote on Living Only for Future Goals



I hope you enjoy this week’s meme. You’re welcome to share it with friends and on your social media sites: Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.

To save it to your computer, right click your mouse (if you’re using one) and “save as.”






Meme – Inspirational Quote on Serving Others



I hope you enjoy this week’s meme. You’re welcome to share it with friends and on your social media sites: Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.

To save it to your computer, right click your mouse (if you’re using one) and “save as.”







How Do You Want the Story of Your Life to Read?



Each day we write another page to our personal story . . .

I’m not talking about writing a memoir or an autobiography. I’m referring to the choices we make every day and how those decisions affect not only us, but those around us.

But, let’s talk about story writing . . .

When an author pens a novel, key elements are used in creating interesting, real, and relatable characters.


For instance, a main character needs:

  1. A worthy goal that is reached by the end of the book. Example: Karen must find a way to raise $48,000 or she’ll lose her farm that has been in the family for three generations.
  2. A flaw that becomes less of a problem as the character grows during the story. Example: Melissa has such a strong desire to be “needed,” that she often makes decisions or plans for other people before finding out what they really need or want.
  3. A fear that must be faced and overcome (even if not totally eliminated). Example: John is claustrophobic, but he crawls into a small space to save a child. 
  4. A spiritual lie (inspirational novels) that is believed and then dispelled by the end of the story. Example: Mary believes that God never loved her because not only were her parents killed in a car accident, she was abused in a foster home.

I know—novels are fiction. They’re make-believe. They’re created in someone’s imagination. Still, they reflect life.

So, if a novel were written with you as the main character, would you know how to answer the following four questions?

  1. Do you have a goal or dream that is worth striving for? Are you willing to do what it takes to achieve it?
  2. Are there flaws in your character that could be changed over time if you tried?
  3. Is there a fear you’d like to overcome?
  4. Are you struggling with believing God exists—or if you’re a believer, is there something holding you back from living with complete freedom in your faith? Is there any chance you’re holding on to an untruth? What would it take to find out?


The story of my life—your life—are our legacies. How do you want your story to read?

Dawn



Meme – Inspirational Quote on the Definition of Purpose



I hope you enjoy this week’s meme. You’re welcome to share it with friends and on your social media sites: Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.

To save it to your computer, right click your mouse (if you’re using one) and “save as.”








8 Tips for Keeping Your Enthusiasm After Experiencing Failure



It takes determination to pursue a dream, especially when faced with one challenge after another. It takes tenacity to keep going when desired results don’t happen as quickly as we want—or plans completely fall apart.

Failure is tough.

Failure is discouraging.

Failure is even at times heartbreaking.

Winston Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” 

I love that quote. But how do we keep our zeal when it starts to wane?

We can …

1. Focus on the positives and anything weve accomplished. There’s a reason to get excited. We’re one step closer to figuring out what will work for us!

2. Learn from our mistakes. Re-evaluate our goals and how we’ll achieve them, and be open to changing “the plan.”

3. Set aside our fears—of disappointment, making the wrong decision, or looking silly.

4. Choose our company wisely. Surround ourselves with positive people—those who support us and believe in us even when we have a hard time believing in ourselves.

5. Take care of ourselves.  We need to eat healthy, get rest, exercise, and find time for play. When hungry, tired, or lonely, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about anything—except eating or sleeping!

6. Refuse to step into victim-mode. Feeling sorry for ourselves will zap our enthusiasm.

7. Keep true to ourselves. We need to avoid changing our goals just because someone else thinks we should take a different path. We also shouldn’t try to pursue another persons dream if it’s not a true desire of our hearts. We have different gifts, personalities, and passions. Why miss out on what God has in store for us?

8. Take encouragement from the many who found great success after failure. The following is only a sample.

Henry Ford’s early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” After that, Disney started a number of businesses that ended with bankruptcy and failure before he created a company that continues to touch millions of people around the world.
Thomas Edison’s teachers told him that he was too stupid to learn anything, and he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb before he discovered what worked.
Jerry Seinfeld is a well-known comedian, but the first time he walked on stage at a comedy club, he looked out at the audience, froze, and was eventually jeered and booed off of the stage. Instead of giving up, he tried again the following night and was rewarded with laughter and applause.
Fred Astaire’s first screen test bombed. The testing director for MGM wrote this about Astaire: “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.” But Astaire went on to become an incredibly successful actor, singer, and dancer.
Lucille Ball was initially regarded as a failed actress and a B movie star. Her drama instructors told her to try another profession.  Instead, Lucy ended her career with thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins, and she also won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors. 
Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location but dropped out to become a director before finishing. Today, he’s highly regarded in the film industry.

Remember . . . failure is not the end!


Have you ever considered giving up a goal because of failure? What do you do when you feel your enthusiasm fading?

Dawn





 photo copyright.jpg
blogger template by envye