Success or value?

31 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in quotes Tags: , , ,

Quotes and Notes #91, January 31

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”–Albert Einstein

A friend and I spoke briefly yesterday about the meaning of success. Is it possible to be poor and be successful? How about being wealthy and a failure? We all go through instances of failure and success in our endeavors. The main judgment of success, though, is not what we have but who we are. This afternoon, enjoy your own personal sunset. If the sky is overcast, try again tomorrow. Share a smile

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Discover Wisdom

30 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags:

Quotes and Notes #90, January 30

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”–Marcel Proust

Whatever happens each day, good, bad, or mediocre, may be looked at and remembered as valuable lessons of things to be repeated—or not. My mother tells of her father, a salesman, who came home after an unsuccessful work day.

“How was your day, Daddy,” she asked. He replied,”I had a wonderful day, I didn’t sell a thing.” When his daughter asked how that made a good day he answered, “I found a number of places I don’t have to go back to.” We choose our own attitude. Today, help an old lady across the street—physically or figuratively.

Everything is going to be all right

John P. Schulz

Pursuit and happiness

29 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

Quotes and Notes #89, January 29

“It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment, it is in the happiness of pursuit.”–Denis Waitley

“The happiness of pursuit” From as far back as I can remember I had a favorite question to ask myself. I would ask, “I wonder what would happen if…” Just asking this question gave me a good feeling because I was proud of thinking it up. The next step was to act on it. I found out what would happen if I wrote my name on my grandmother’s white carpet with a charred stick (which was not enjoyable) but I also found out what would happen if I planted ten thousand wildflower seeds in a pasture.

Pursuit of a goal is often more fun than its attainment. The writing of a book, the keeping of a journal are their own rewards. Dream of something and go after it. Throw out a smile or two along the way to help others.

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Happen to things

28 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: ,

Quotes and Notes #88, January 28

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”–Leonardo da Vinci

Wonderful. Get a smile on your face today and “go out and happen to something.” Open your mind to the discovery of something new—an idea, a feeling of well-being, or a random act of kindness. What can you happen to that will make you feel good or that will help someone? You’ll figure it out. I know you will. Enjoy the feeling of the cool breeze on your face.

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Sunshine, flowers, and smiles

27 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

Quotes and Notes #87, January 27

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”–Joseph Addison

As you go about your day, toss out the seeds of humor and brightness. Sharing good will reinforces your own feelings of happiness and well-being. Wow, sharing a smile doesn’t cost anything and it makes you feel good—what a bargain!!  Find a flower to enjoy on a winter’s day. The days are getting longer and spring is on its way.

Everything is going to be all right

John P. Schulz

Battle complexity

26 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

Quotes and Notes, January 26

“Things that I grew up with stay with me. You start a certain way, and then you spend your whole life trying to find a certain simplicity that you had. It’s less about staying in childhood than keeping a certain spirit of seeing things in a different way.”–Tim Burton

Our lives seem to gain complexity as we grow older. Complexity creates stress. Today, do something to move toward simplicity. What is there in your life that you can do without? Find it and get rid of it. Try to avoid modifiers in your speech today. Definitely do not use the word “very.”  Look at the stems on the maple trees—the growth buds are swelling in anticipation of spring. Share a smile

Everything is going to be all right

John P. Schulz

Stuff–physical and mental

25 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

Seneca the Younger 5 B.C--65 A.D.

Seneca the Younger
5 B.C–65 A.D.

Quotes and Notes #85, January 25

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” –Seneca

Too many times we lose sight of the good things in our lives as we wish for something unattainable. My wife has a rule for the house, “If something comes in, something must go out.” I love this rule. If I start to bring something home I automatically ask myself, “what will I dispose of?” I wonder if we could do this with our thoughts—such as when we get something new to fret over, we should get rid of an old fret? That’s just an off-the-top-of-my-head thought. I shall ponder it today.  Enjoy the sun. Share a smile

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Pet a cat

24 Jan 2015 1 Comment

by John P.Schulz in quotes Tags: , , , ,

Quotes and Notes #84, January 24
”Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”–Winston Churchill

A bright demeanor makes you feel good, but it also rubs off on those around you. Having a good attitude during hard times as well as good times takes a lot of practice. It is easy to be happy and pleasant during the good times. In the bad times it takes a bit more work but the effort is always rewarded. Pet a cat. Share a smile.

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Concentrate on good

23 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: ,

Quotes and Notes #83, January 23

“But nobody ever tells you in advance when you should concentrate on the good times—that’s why you’re supposed to do it every day.”–Jordan Sonnenblick, “After Ever After”

I pack the good times into three categories, remembrance, creation, and anticipation. I love it when I can remember and share the laughter and good feelings of the past. I love the acts of a random sharing of cheer and good will and the good feeling that they give me,  and I enjoy looking forward in anticipation.

I have a good friend who enjoys life, even through adversity. While discussing something one day, I asked, “Tommy, did that make you angry?” He gave me a kind look and replied, “John, I don’t have time in my life for anger.” I remember that, yes I do. –Pet a dog. Share a smile

Everything is going to be all right.

John P. Schulz

Paranoia in reverse

22 Jan 2015 1 Comment

by John P.Schulz in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

Quotes and Notes #82, January 22

“I am a kind of paranoid in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.”–J. D. Salinger

I’m not paranoid, it’s true—They really are out to make me happy. Everywhere I go, I smile at people, I nod in acknowledgement, and sometimes I push the button on my throat and say, “hello.”

People smile back, and I know that a bond has been created. It’s a short-lived bond, but it ties me to humanity nevertheless. Sometimes people stop and speak a sentence or two in passing. Yesterday, a lovely lady showed me that she had eyes of different colors and told me the scientific term for it (which I forgot). Yes, I think there is a universal organization out there plotting to make me happy. I’m going to enjoy it.  Don’t forget to feed the birds and share a smile.

Everything is going to be all right

John P. Schulz

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