Owner: Thoughts On Quotes URL:http://thoughtsonquotes.com Join Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:44:02 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Creative thoughts, famous quotes. Includes pictures and videos of authors. Books and other media. Commentary has leadership and personal growth and development messages. Quotes resource. Presidents, celebrities, authors, scientists, social leaders an Site statistics:Click here
A Hug a Day 2007-10-11 23:29:00 "Oh, I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time!" -Drew Barrymore, American Actress and Movie Star, Drew Barrymore books and DVDs//
It's nice to get a hug every day. Normally, I like to shake hands with people when I see them, but if someone initiates a hug I always return the gesture. We all have friends or family members, like Barrymore, who meet everyone with outstretched arms, a genuine smile and kinds words of appreciation. I admire people who are so focused on making those around them feel comfortable and loved. They have a way of disarming even the most guarded individuals, who might otherwise not even say 'hello' to you. For those of us who are not...
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Do You Know What You're Talking About? 2007-10-11 23:03:00 "You shouldn't speak until you know what you're talking about." -Brad Pitt, American Actor and Movie Star, Brad Pitt books and DVDs//
One of the most irritating things in the world to me is when people talk about things as if their opinion were fact, especially when they don't justify statements or demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject matter. The context of Pitt's quotes had to do with being asked about China and Tibet's political problems. I respect that he acknowledged that he wasn't qualified to make an educated opinion on the topic, and then he moved on rather than saying, "but let me tell you how I feel about what I little I do know..." People must feel more important...
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No Boundaries 2007-10-11 10:20:00 "When you live a life with no boundaries, there's less joy." -Tom Hanks, American Movie Star, Tom Hanks books//
Boundaries
are a good thing. Adults need boundaries as much as kids do. Kids need adults to ensure that they live within the boundaries set for them, whereas adults are supposed to 'police' themselves. It's hard to say NO to yourself, especially when it comes to food, alcohol, tobacco or other temptations. We all have feelings of invincibility, which are always crushed later when we look in the mirror or have trouble getting out of bed the next morning. Hanks correctly points out that we often sacrifice long term happiness for short-term satisfaction. Obesity, alcoholism, lung...
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A Balanced Life 2007-10-11 09:29:00 "A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." -Marilyn Monroe, American Actress and Pop Icon, Marilyn Monroe books//
A successful career is definitely something to be thankful for in life; however, is it always worth the cost or sacrifices made? Unless you are independently wealthy, someone in your family has to work, and it's usually not doing something he or she is passionate about every day. Even people with the so-called "glamorous life," like Monroe, struggle to find happiness and fulfillment from a career alone. Relationships, though, tend to balance out a person's life, and it's much more rewarding to be successful at work if you can come home and share...
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Be Aware of the Present 2007-10-10 22:33:00 "Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness." -James Thurber, American Humorist and Cartoonist, James Thurber books//
It's hard not to let things stew inside of you when someone has done you wrong. The replay button in your brain gets hit dozens of times, and inevitably you come up with a better comeback, a more pithy retort or a punch in the face. It's also hard not to look to the future with fear, especially about things that have happened to you in the past that hurt you or made you angry. Similarly, a picture in your mind plays out again and again, attempting to find a way to alleviate the fear. Both anger and fear are controlling emotions that do not...
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, Present
Dialogue, Discussion or Argument? 2007-10-10 00:09:00 "Argument
is the worst sort of conversation." -Jonathan Swift, Irish Cleric and Writer, Jonathan Swift books//
A mentor once explained to me that dialogue was the best kind of conversation because it involved collaboration and a sharing of ideas, regardless of agreement. He also said that discussion was a conversation consisting of points and counterpoints, which inherently made it somewhat adversarial. Arguments, he said, were nothing more than a waste of time. I wonder if my mentor read much of Swift's work? I tend to agree with them both.
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The Narrative of Life 2007-10-08 08:47:00 "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." -Lin Yutang, Chinese Writer and Inventor, Lin Yutang books//
The narratives of some peoples' lives are told like a cheesy voice over from the movies, however for the rest of us, our story unfolds through the things we do every day. Yutang suggests that what we do is just as important as what we don't do, and I agree with him to an extent. There are multitudes of meaningless tasks that we complete each day out of habit, and if we could replace those tasks with more productive activities, then we would get important things done...
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Small Talking 2007-10-06 09:09:00 "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something." -Plato, Ancient Greek Philosopher, Plato books//
Small
talk is not my strong suit. It's very difficult for me to engage in idle chatter about the weather or work, although I can do it to a certain extent about sports. I don't meet many people who are content with sitting back and saying nothing as Plato suggests. In fact, most people seem to think doing so is slightly rude, and failure to engage in "small talking" means that you think you're better than everyone around you. Unlike Plato purports, most people don't associate silence with wisdom. Knowing this to be the case, I have forced...
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I Have the Power 2007-10-05 10:39:00 "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt, former American First Lady and Political Leader, Eleanor Roosevelt books//
Confidence is something most of us struggle with at times, especially when other people so often use the tactic of making you feel worse so they can feel better about themselves. Who has the power, though, over how you feel? Roosevelt emphatically says that you do. It's a common weakness to allow others to dump all over you, and it's confusing to me how so many allow themselves to be victimized by elitists and jerks. All of us have value in this world, but the only way it shows is if you believe in yourself. While our skills and...
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Say It Ain't So, Really 2007-10-04 23:09:00 "It's not what we don't know that hurts, it's what we know that ain't so." -Will Rogers, American Cowboy, Comedian and Actor, Will Rogers books//
There's a lot of things I don't know, and I assume that they don't hurt me. However, when things come up that I know are incredibly one-sided or blatantly untrue, it really gets my goat! The most common occurrence is when individuals interpret facts in a way that supports their own conclusions, regardless of fairness or the truth. Then, there are the "exaggerations" of the truth that turn facts into fairy tales, which is usually intended to create a misleading mythology that replaces the mundane reality. Worst of all, though, are the outright...
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What Drives You Insane? 2007-10-18 09:47:00 "No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions." -Henry Ward Beecher, 19th Century American Clergyman and Abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher books//
Many things drive me insane. Ignorance, racism, intolerance and prejudice to name a few. Significant issues of the day are what seemed to drive Beecher insane, such as slavery and suffrage. The same is true in the 21st Century, only the issues that drive most insane today have to do with poverty, war or disease. This type of insanity is a good thing for society because it drives people, like Beecher, to do things to get involved and affect change. It doesn't have to be on a grand, world scale - there are things in every...
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Becoming An Expert 2007-10-17 09:32:00 "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." -Niels Bohr, Danish Physicist, Niels Bohr books//
One of my goals in life is to be considered an "expert" at something. It's odd to think, though, as Bohr points out, that the places I should start looking in my life are the areas in which I have failed the most. Failure breeds opportunity for those who are willing to learn. The problem is that most of us try to push the memories associated with failure out of our brains, which is probably why we repeat the same mistakes over and over again. For instance, I have failed many times at knowing when not to argue with my wife. The warning signals...
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, Expert
Adding Value to Others 2007-10-25 10:03:00 "Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." -Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist, Albert Einstein books//
There are many definitions of success in life, and some are held in higher regard than others. Most people seem to strive for success at work as the primary objective in their life, all the while taking for granted the many other things that they achieve in their home or community. It's important to be successful at what you do, maximizing your talents and leveraging your strengths. We need successful people in every facet of society for it to function properly - no one would argue with that concept. There is a difference, though, in being...
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, Others
Don't Be One of the Herd 2007-10-24 11:40:00 "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others." -Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish Novelist, Poet and Travel Writer, Robert Louis Stevenson books//
Fear is more powerful than hope or inspiration in most people's minds. It is a force that drives otherwise rational individuals to act in the most irrational manner. Fear causes people to react, rather than act in a given situation. It voids any benefits of strategic thinking, and I would venture to say that it is one of the root causes for most mistakes made in peoples' lives. Fear works its way past verbal filters, and unlike Stevenson's suggestion, it is blurted out to others as a declaration of drama to come. When...
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You Are Special 2007-10-23 14:59:00 "I was always told I was special. And I was also assured that I had a gift and a purpose." -Ashley Judd, American Actress and Movie Star, Ashley Judd books, DVDs & CDs//
You are special in so many ways. When was the last time someone told you that? When was the last time you told someone else that? My mother always told me when I was growing up that I was going to 'change the world,' and I took her words very seriously. Her constant encouragement and high expectations taught me many things, including drive, determination and self-motivation. I came from a family, similar to Judd, that believed in building children up, rather than tearing them down. Throughout the course of my...
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The Desire to Give 2007-10-22 09:41:00 "The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give." -Walt Whitman, American Writer and Humanist, Walt Whitman books//
Are you a giver or a taker? Do you think more about what you can 'get from' or 'contribute to' situations in your life? Are you the kind of person who 'shares the wealth' or 'hoards the glory'? Most people that I meet have a naturally selfish nature, so I truly appreciate those who have learned how to live a selfless life. Whitman alludes to an important point when it comes to giving - it is not natural, but rather a habit that must be learned. Human nature will always have an element of self-preservation, and we are not likely to lose the desire to protect our own...
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The Children are Watching 2007-10-21 09:24:00 "Children
are easily influenced, and I always want to do things I can be proud to show my kids someday." -Faith Hill, Country Music Star, Faith Hill books, DVDs and music//
Some say that you shouldn't do things that you wouldn't do if God or Jesus was standing right next to you (which, I guess, in theory, He always is); however, it seems more realistic to think, as a parent, about only doing things that you wouldn't mind your children seeing you do. Faith Hill has always been the kind of celebrity that I appreciate and respect. She seems to be one of a few that have their priorities right and actually strives to be a good role model for children. It never sits right with me when I meet...
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Read more:Watching
Check Your Ego 2007-10-29 10:14:00 "He who lives far from neighbors may safely praise himself." -Erasmus, 16th Century Dutch Humanist and Theologian, Erasmus books//
When I hear bragging, it's like someone is thrusting knives into my ears. Overconfidence rubs me the wrong way too. Egomaniacs who boast and proclaim their wondrous qualities and achievements make me want to scream, or at least, burst their bubble. I've tried to control this urge by ignoring them but that rarely makes them stop. I'm all for positive self-talk, but there is a difference between affirmation and arrogance. Making yourself feel good at the expense, or irritation, or others is wrong, and those who employ this tactic are bound to experience a severe...
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Turn Experience Into Wisdom 2007-10-27 11:58:00 "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." -Oscar Wilde, 19th Century Irish Playwright, Novelist and Poet, Oscar Wilde books//
Wilde seems to take a very pessimistic view of experience. It seems that we learn both what 'to do' and 'not to do' again from our experiences in life; however, most would say that mistakes are more indelibly etched in our minds. Either way, and by whatever name, experience involves living life, as opposed to being a bystander all of the time. It's good to make mistakes, as long as you don't repeat them over and over. It's smart, though, to do things right, and remember to do them again and again in similar situations. Experience is the precursor of...
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The Trick to Feeling Good 2007-11-02 13:55:00 "The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda, American Author and Anthropologist, Carlos Castaneda books//
If you have a choice about how you want to feel - good or bad - why would you choose to feel bad? Castaneda says that it requires the same amount of effort on our part, no matter the choice. I'm not so sure. It seems like feeling bad, or sorry for oneself, is a lot easier than feeling good or inspired. Negative self-talk is much more common than internal "peppiness," and society and religion often reinforces that we should internalize the woes of the world and the guilt of...
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, Feeling
A World of Possibilities 2007-11-01 09:29:00 "The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas." -Linus Pauling, American Quantum Chemist and Biochemist, Linus Pauling books//
Ideas fly around in my head all of the time - some good, some not so good - and it's exciting living in a world of possibilities. Too many people live in a world of routine. Things are done a certain way because that is how it has always been done. These individuals have ideas too, but they lack the courage to act on them or, worse, someone important in their life has made original thought taboo. Society, parents and bosses are very good at telling us what we can't do, intentionally or unintentionally quashing the creative spirit or turning...
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, Possibilities
A Good Knife 2007-10-31 12:24:00 "There never was a good knife made of bad steel." -Benjamin Franklin, 18th Century American Inventor, Patriot and Statesman, Benjamin Franklin books//
I've carried the same pocket knife with me for nearly ten years. It's a Swiss Army knife, and it is definitely the best knife that I've ever had. It's sharp, functional and compact, and I know that I can rely on it to help me out of many binds. I wish more people were like my pocket knife - sharp, useful and reliable. All of these qualities are what make for good character in a person, which is one way to interpret Franklin's observation or maxim about a good knife. A person without quality character becomes dull, burdensome and unreliable,...
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Go With the Flow 2007-10-30 16:32:00 "I accept chaos. I am not sure whether it accepts me." -Bob Dylan, Legendary American Folk Singer-Songwriter and Poet, Bob Dylan books, CDs, DVDs//
The world is a chaotic place. Those things seen and unseen that disturb the order of things make life difficult and demanding. For those of us who like control, chaos is an enemy that must be destroyed. Or should it? Is chaos really a destructive force, or does it only disrupt things that need to be changed? Dylan seems to suggest that by embracing (or at least accepting) chaos good things can happen in your life. Events happen around us that are outside of our control every day. No matter how hard we try to ward off change or will things to...
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Peace of Mind 2007-10-30 11:38:00 "You'll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart." -George Michael, Grammy Winning English Singer and Songwriter, George Michael books, CDs, DVDs//
Peace
of mind is hard to find, no matter how much emotional intelligence a person commands. I agree with Michael that one must truly understand how they "feel" about something before they can put to rest any mental anxiety about the issue. If you don't settle with your emotions first, then it is inevitable that you will second guess tough decisions that you made. I've tended to be a very cerebral person throughout my life, and it is not easy for me to "listen to my heart." Common sense, and a strong belief in 'right' and 'wrong'...
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Don't Ask Stupid Questions 2007-11-07 13:26:00 "Judge others by their questions rather than by their answers." -Voltaire, French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher, Voltaire books//
It happens all too often. A thought pops into my head and - "blagh" - a question falls out of my mouth. There have been many times that I wished I could have caught those words and shoved them in my ear, so that I would've been the only one to have heard. It's hard to 'play off' a stupid question, and as Voltaire suggests, it doesn't bode well for how others perceive you (or your intelligence). It's only natural for people to consider the motives, intent and reasoning behind inquiry. When the answer is obvious, though, the instantaneous judgment is that...
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Earning the Trust of Others 2007-11-07 09:06:00 "Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him." -Booker T. Washington, American Educator, Author and African American Community Leader, Booker T. Washington books//
Trust is an essential part of any relationship, and it is particularly pertinent to the delegation of responsibility. It is often not the most qualified person who is put in charge of a project, but rather the person who is most trusted by the leader of the organization, group or body. Trust is not something readily extended by most - it is usually earned over time. But how do you earn trust if you never get a chance to take on significant responsibility? Great...
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, Others
Listening Means Letting Go 2007-11-06 14:42:00 "Listening
, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery." -Dr. Joyce Brothers, American Psychologist and Advice Columnist, Dr. Joyce Brothers books, CDs, DVDs//
Listening to others makes them feel valued and important. How often do you feel like people aren't listening to you? Yes, you engage in conversation, or discussion, in which others let you speak, but the objective is always to have their say, or turn, be the last. People hear bits of what you say, and then their focus shifts to thinking about an appropriate or witty response. Hearing someone is not the same as listening to what that person is trying to communicate. It doesn't mean that a good listener refrains from...
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Read more:Means
, Letting
Save Yourself from Government Regulation 2007-11-06 10:46:00 "Government
exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." -Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States and Famous Hollywood Actor, Ronald Reagan books, CDs, DVDs//
Government does serve an important purpose, especially when it comes to preserving and protecting the rights of people who live within democratic societies. The freedoms and liberties individuals enjoy are born out of strong Constitutions, fair legislation and independent judiciaries; however, the temptation to narrowly interpret individual rights, broadly assume legislative power and politicize judicial appointments often causes governments...
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Read more:Yourself
, Regulation
Improve Your World This Minute 2007-11-05 14:49:00 "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank, Holocaust Victim and Diarist, Anne Frank books//
You can make the world a better place right now. Don't wait. Say something nice to the next person you see. Pick up the phone and let someone know that you're thinking about him. Write a sympathy note to a friend who recently suffered a loss in her family. The easiest way to improve the world is by making a positive difference in others' lives, but your efforts don't have to involve acts of kindness. You can create a work of art; write a poem; learn something new; begin to recycle; walk instead of drive; start a business; or,...
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, World
, Minute
Take the Blinders Off 2007-11-05 08:40:00 "The eyes see only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." -Henri Bergson, French Philosopher, Henri Bergson books//
How many times has someone said to you, "Take the blinders off! Open your eyes, man!"? I know that there are times when I get really focused on one thing, and as a result, I miss a lot of other things happening around me. I like to take things to completion though, and it's hard to do that if you're always thinking globally and viewing life from an objective distance. Bergson, though, is probably talking about the things in life that we choose to ignore. No one wants to admit when things aren't going well, especially when it comes to relationships, work or money. The...
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