This is a famous poem about having determination and perseverance. Never quit.

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The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.

- David Sarnoff

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If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;
that is where they should be.
Now put foundations under them.
– Henry David Thoreau

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We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill

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“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

- Walt Disney

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Enjoy this beautiful story of a boy overcoming obstacles and the selfless father who is giving his all to help his child become all that he can be.

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One of the great lessons I’ve learned in athletics is that you’ve got to discipline your life. No matter how good you may be, you’ve got to be willing to cut out of your life those things that keep you from going to the top.

Bob Richards – Pole Vaulter

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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!

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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.

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I do not know anyone who has got or gotten to the top without hard work.
That is the recipe.
–Margaret Thatcher

I’m extraordinarily patient provided I get my own way in the end.
–Margaret Thatcher

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