Sarah Brightman sings your wake up call today with this video. Some say she has the voice of an angel. Although I think Paul Potts still motivates me best with his story from rags to riches, pursuing his dream when he sings this song. Enjoy this video as you take on your day.

It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out
how the strong (wo)man stumbles
or where the doer of deeds
could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the (wo)man
who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred
by dust and sweat and blood,
who strives valiantly,
who errs and comes short again and again.

Because there is no effort
without error and shortcomings,
who knows the great devotion,
who spends himself in a worthy cause,
who at the best knows in the end
the high achievement of triumph
and who at worst,
if he fails while daring greatly,
knows his place shall never be
with those timid and cold souls
who know neither victory nor defeat.

- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President

This is absolutely one of my FAVORITE quotes of all time.

Anytime I know someone’s saying something
negative about me behind my back, or
criticizing me for pursuing my dreams,
or moving 5,000+ miles away from
anything familiar to start my life over
from scratch…

I come back to this quote by Teddy,
and realize – it’s soooooo true!

I’d MUCH rather be all bloody, and dirty
and battled-worn from pursuing my dreams,
than to be among those timid souls
who are afraid to try because they are
afraid of what other people may think,
and who are are satisfied with mediocrity.
Cuz that’s just NO fun at all!

Have you ever been around one of those
gossippy-chattery-types who have NOTHING
better to do than talk about other people
and it’s never positive? They’re always
pointing out something negative about
someone else.

What’s funny – is they typically never
talk that much at all about their OWN
flaws! Ya’ ever notice that about the critics?

Here’s what I learned while taking a
crisis-management course to learn how to
de-escalate a potentially violent situation
when I worked with at-risk teens.

And it’s this:
When people try to lash out at you and
make YOU feel bad, mad, sad, angry, or
depressed…

Take account into the feelings you’re
feeling and experiencing. And then look
at the person lashing out, realizing those
feelings are EXACTLY how THAT person is
feeling.

It’s actually an indication of how they feel
deep inside, but don’t have the maturity to
express it appropriately – or are insecure within
themselves that they can’t even admit how they
really feel. And therefore, hope to drag someone
into their pit – so they don’t feel so all alone.

I hope this piece of wisdom I learned will
help you keep the critics in perspective,
and help you turn any negative feelings
into feelings of pity for these types.
Because their gossip is really a desperate
cry for a deep-seated need within themselves…

Once you realize this fact – you’ll NEVER
ever EVER take criticism personally again.

Agree?

What do you think of this?
Any AH-HA moments?

IF so – please share your thoughts below.
I LOVE hearing from YOU! And what you
get from my little motivators each morning.

ALOHA!

I’ve never been a fan of repeating “sayings” that everybody else uses.

One of my favorite lines is from the movie, Good Will Hunting when Matt Damon’s character asks the girl he wants to see to go out for “caramels” instead of asking what every other guy asks – to go out for coffee or drinks.

I like that! Original thinking!

Innovative Thinking!

I also don’t understand why some sayings are repeated because they make no sense whatsoever!

So I tend to say them wrong if I’m ever caught saying them at all.

I can relate to Data here in this funny video… see if you can relate too:

Data Taking Things Too Literally – Video

Years from now
you will be more disappointed
by the things you did NOT do…
than by the ones you DID do.

So – throw off the bow lines!
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the tradewinds in your sails.
Explore!
Dream!
Discover!

~ Mark Twain

PS: Trust me! You’ll be glad you did!

Ok – to make up for any days missed – here’s a double dose of 60 second motivators – a whopping 2 minutes and 30 seconds worth of “60 second motivators” for today in an inspirational video of quotes set to John Lennon’s song: Imagine…

Enjoy as you imagine living out these inspirational quotes in your life…

And if you’re enjoying these inspirational videos, please let me know, and I’ll continue to find (and create) more.

OH! And if you haven’t been there yet – you’ll want to check out the NEW place where YOU get to share YOUR inspirational story through video on the NEW Internet TV show: iMotivate.TV

Seriously – go check it out – then create a video of your own and send it to me so we can share YOUR story with the world to inspire millions…

(eh-hem… what part of NOW did you not understand? Go Create! And Inspire!)

With the tragedy of a 16 year old Hawaiian boy who was taken by the ocean this week, and another friend being rushed to the hospital last week… I thought I’d share a song that has always lifted my spirit and reminded me who to turn to in times to despair.

This post is:

* In memory of Cory Kimo Aiwohi

who is remembered as a popular teenager with friends at Kailua and Castle high schools.

* for the continued prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery of
Jason Oman (Smiling guy on the right, pointing to my friend Simon Leung)

a brilliant marketer and #1 best selling author of “Conversations with Millionaires,” who recently experienced a brain aneurysm, and is currently recovery from surgery at a hospital in Atlanta.

Here are 5 different takes set to the song: “You Raise Me Up” a song to lift us when we’re weak, down, or in need of a little inspiration…

Choose which one fits your style, or watch them all – then tell me which one is your FAVORITE inspirational video set to this song.

Feel free to bookmark this page to lift you up when you need it.

1 – Westlife video – “You raise me up”

What this video makes me think of…

I think of my grandparents who immigrated to America in search of a better life for their family – and the gift they gave me by doing so, and my parents for giving me the love and confidence to stand on mountains, and walk on stormy seas and be strong when I feel weak or downtrodden…

2 — “You Raise Me Up” An Inspirational Video For Everyone – Faith based video

What this video makes me think of…

When times are rough, and friends have let you down, or when the whole world looks dark and bleak – I remember what’s really important, and that I’m in God’s hands… no matter what – and that I CAN do all things…

“You Raise Me Up”
sung by Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

3 — Josh Groban with children’s choir from Africa – “You Raise Me Up”

What this video makes me think of…

These children and their gorgeous smiles and voices inspire me just by looking into their eyes and upon their bright shining faces…

4 — Michelle Kwan: skates beautifully to: “You Raise Me Up”

What this video makes me think of…

A true US Champion and inspiration to anyone to be their very best – Michelle Kwan always elicits such emotion from her audience.

5 — Celtic Women – “You Raise Me Up”

Violinist, Dancers – gorgeous visual video – WOW! A MUST watch and listen to…

Remember – tell me which one is your FAVORITE – and why… and feel free to leave any requests for prayer you may have – so I can lift you up along with all my friends who visit this post who can lift you up in prayer as well.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world your best and it may never be enough;
Give the world your best anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

- Mother Theresa

“Be Someone”

Be someone who listens, and you will be heard.

Be someone who cares, and you will be loved.

Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed.

Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.

Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise.

Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired.

Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected.

Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward.

Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich.

Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you’ll be thankful.

Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines.

Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be.

— Ralph Marston

A different take on “Our Deepest Fear” written by Marianne Williamson, in her book, “A Return to Love“.

Enjoy this inspirational video of Marianne’s poem portrayed in ASL (American Sign Language). I trust you will be inspired to BE Your Best – to serve the world!

(ASL Sign Interpretation by Mark Brudney & Deborah Cole Micek)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves,
Who am I?
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God!
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us!
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

NOTE:
Nelson Mandela has been given erroneously given credit for including this speech in his inaugural address, however this is incorrect. He never quoted this, nor included it in any of his speeches to date. Although I think we all can picture him sharing this with the world and being inspired by his story of strength, courage and light. But all credit should be given to the correct author, Marianne Williamson, from her book, “A Return to Love“.

I’m not like most “success coaches.”
That’s because I say and do a lot that
they’re not willing to say or do. I take risks,
and I say bizarre, off-the-wall things that make
people go… hmmmm…

For example, I just posted the following comment
on someone’s blog on MySpace today – and I thought
I’d share it with you and my readers of this Motivational
quotes blog because it’s one of THE most important
success secrets I share with the business owners I coach.

What is it?
What do I say to my coaching clients that throws them off guard?
It’s this:

Here’s to you Taking Action and reaching
50% of your goals.

Oh? Is that a typo?
You ask why not 100%?

I’m glad you asked!

Because if you do reach 100% of your goals
all the time, it simply means:

1) You either haven’t set enough goals,

or

2) You haven’t set your goals HIGH enough!

Either you’re afraid to risk NOT achieving a BIG goal,
and you simply avoid putting your big goal down on paper,
afraid someone might see it, that they might laugh
at you for even THINKING you could achieve such
a crazy, lofty goal.

Or – you’re afraid of disappointment if you don’t
achieve your goal.

Either way – it doesn’t matter. When you don’t
set BIG goals, and write your goals down, then share them
with other TRUSTED sources – you are jeopardizing
your ultimate success and limiting yourself by choice.

Believe me, disappointment is NOT the worst feeling
you can ever experience. Regret is.

I look back on my life, a decade later after being at
an Anthony Robbins event in New Jersey when I first
allowed myself to dream big! Dream HUGE!

I remember my hands shaking, as I wrote down my goals,
hiding my paper from my husband so he wouldn’t see this crazy
goal I had of quitting my job, becoming a successful Coach,
speaking all around the world, and living in a warm place.

Now as I type those things… I can’t help but smile, and think…
“Wow! I should have written even more down! Because everything
came true and THEN some!”

Anyone who knows me now who didn’t know me then would think I
was a different person. And I suppose, a decade later – I AM!

A decade ago… I was scared to even ADMIT
my goals to ANYONE for fear of ridicule.

OR – the worst thing in my family – was disappointment.
We learned to “settle” and to accept what we had and
not want anything more. To be content and stay where
we were in life.

Dreaming of a better life was not something we were encouraged to do.
But I dared to dream anyway.

Now I realize how much we UNDER estimate what we can do in a decade.

Now, I dream even BIGGER!

I think HUGE thoughts and I dream MEGA dreams now.

And now, I only care if I reach 50% of my goals over the next 5 years…
because now I know… it’s only a matter of time
until ALL our dreams will come true.

So – here’s to reaching 50% of your goals over the next year!
Are you with me?!