"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change."

Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Author and Radio Announcer

"In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later."

Harold S. Geneen
Accountant, Industrialist and CEO

I attended the funeral for my good friend and 2nd mom: Madge Long in Houston yesterday. Also known as Mama Madge. Madge came to Whites Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies to sharpen her personal evangelism skills to do campaigns. And Campaigns she did. She traveled all over the USA and Europe talking about the good news of Jesus. Madge was adopted by countless Iranian students who she housed in the late 70's. Most of them attended and served at her funeral.
A man who Madge met while waiting on her hair dresser to open spoke at the funeral. Madge engaged him while in the parking lot and later he gave his life to Christ.
Moma Madge was left to raise 4 children by herself and she did.
"If the Lord's army had ranks of service Madge Long would be a 4 star general." Homer H. Hillis, Jr.

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death."

Thomas Paine
1737-1809, Political Theorist and Writer

The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better."

Barbara Pletcher
Author

"It is a lesson which all history teaches wise men, to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances."

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882, Poet and Essayist

I'm sure the people of Iowa understand how a large mouth bass feels when a fisherman is throwing different baits at them to see what they bite on. I think the equivalent if Bass Pro Shop was thrown at Iowa this year.

What did I take away from Cold Mountain, the movie? That war no matter what people say is never just, its never easy, its confusing to all. It reams out the love, compassion, mercy of all men involved. The good thing it rarely last forever and like a fire it purifies. I give Cold Mountain ***** stars. The movie is filled with rough battle scenes and highly visual shooting. A line to take away, "the confidence of youth". Its the young that die in war, the young who leave the farm and never return.

"All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy."

Wayne Dyer
Psychotherapist, Author and Speaker

Costco Online Training
Here's something I'm going to do, take an online course. Check these out, they look really good.

"I have always believed that anybody with a little guts and the desire to apply himself can make it, can make anything he wants to make of himself."

Willie Shoemaker
Horse Jockey and Trainer

Costco at the Top

I'm a bigger Costco fan after reading this. Costco is a first class run operation with excellent value and products. I can't get within 100 miles of one without going in. People might ask what's the difference in Costco and Sam's Club?
Lighting for one. In Costco bright lights illuminate the store much better than Sam's. Plus the displays and array of merchandise is far superior.
As well the staff is much more service oriented. They actually ask you if you need help.
And of course the sampling is better. More selection with more quantity.
Check it out!
www.costco.com

Here's some good quotes to start the new year off with:

"In order to do more, I've got to be more" Jim Rohn

"We are either the unlearned, the learned, or the learners."

"If you don't grow, you go!"

"It is one of the paradoxes of success that the things and ways which got you there are seldom those things that keep you there."
Charles Handy

"Whatever you do today, do it better tomorrow" Robert Schuller

"For everything you gain, you lose something." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The illiterate of the future are not those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." Alvin Toffler


"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily." John Maxwell