Smile at creation

Lady Bird Johnson

“It is wonderful to be in on the creation of something, see it used, and then walk away and smile at it.”

~ Lady Bird Johnson – American First Lady

As someone who has some inventions on the drawing board and who works closely with inventors of new products, I am always proud of the accomplishment in the finished product. But this is just the beginning of another long and expensive phase of product launch. Positioning of the product in the marketplace is vital to the success of a new product. Getting people to buy your product and keep buying it is something that takes lots of genius, skill, cooperation among companies and some luck. Creating something that makes life easier or safer for people or puts a smile on their face is real accomplishment. Do you have something you have invented or want to invent? I urge you to pursue your dream of creating something that would possibly make you lots of money and make life better for people all over the world.

Imagery becomes reality

Dream Imagery

“The images we create of ourselves that people all over the world see is their reality of us. With this power, our responsibility to others should be to transmit truth, virtue and nobility.”

~ James Filbird

Everybody wants to win, be heard and understood, and in doing so overlook the fact that we can damage both ourselves and others in this pursuit. Since things always start at the level of thought or perception or feeling, controlling the images we create of ourselves must be a conscience act. Right now, today, choose to make a friend, make a difference, and make a different world possible for all of us. Start by creating a reality of yourself that others see you from which compels them to imagine themselves as a part of your image. Be a mirror image of them. Imagine that if you can.

The long and short of it

“You must have long-range goals to keep you from being
frustrated by short-range failures.”

~ Charles C. Noble

It is so important to keep this thought in mind when you are faced with a difficulty so that you can look beyond the failure and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. Even if you fail 18 times, you keep going until you reach success. That’s what perseverance is all about, and in life you need lots and lots of it.  Don’t give up on something until you have nothing left to give; and always keep your eyes on the big picture. Never settle for less unless it satisfies your original intention. Overcome your failures and you’ll be a winner!

The stage is set

Shirley MacLaine

“I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I’ve written for myself… and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.”

~ Shirley MacLaine

If life is a stage, and everyday we live on it, then we must write ourselves a play to guide us in how we will act out our lives. What part do you want to play in your stage play? In order to be good at playing a convincing role, you must constantly practice, be bold, have no fear, and passionate, in order to become the person you are playing. If you want to play a lead part, then you need to work hard at it and be your best. If you want to play a minor role in your life, then no need to practice your lines much. And if you want to play an insignificant role, then you don’t have to do anything except show up. Whatever role you choose, be sure and do it artistically so others will be inspired to play along with you. 

Happiness comes from you

“Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.”

~ Dr. Benjamin Spock

“Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation.”

~ William H. Sheldon

Happiness is wonderful to attain and obtain in life which is why Thomas Jefferson declared the pursuit of happiness a “certain unalienable right” in the Declaration of Independence. But it seems that many people today think that happiness is something that we get from others by how they perceive us. Or, they base their happiness by what they see in the media, movies and lifestyle trends.  No matter how the world defines happiness, the only thing that should matter to you is what makes you happy. Spending time with your family and friends doing simple things together, gardening, reading in the park, enjoying a trip to a far away place, writing a book, helping others, treating yourself to something nice, or daydreaming are just a few ways that you can find happiness in your daily life. So, stop listening to what everyone else tells you what happiness is and just try to enjoy all the things you do in your life. Then, you will know what true happiness is and gain lasting fulfillment in your life. Smile and define your own happiness!

Changing me, changing you

“You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and work.”

~ Thomas Dreier

The only way to change the world is to change yourself – either with your attitude towards it or by affecting others to change according to what you want changed. We are only able to create changes if we can multiply our intellectual, spiritual, and physical powers. If you’re not able to do this, then you will only end up changing yourself which is probably the most important and difficult person to change of all. Remember, we are but a single being among billions from all walks of life, so changing the world must be accomplished by influencing millions of people. 

Nobility is more honorable than wealth

“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost part of your life.”

~ Michael Leboeuf

Even though money can be hard to acquire and even harder to keep, you can always get more of it if you’re resourceful enough. Getting more time is an impossibility and is one of the very things money cannot buy more of. So, try doing more with your time that will leave a lasting impression with many people instead of doing more with your money that probably will only benefit you. If you give more of your time and money, then you will leave a legacy that is to be desired. Remember to have enough money to last a lifetime.

There is more in you

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less.”

~ Kurt Hahn

“Be all you can be!” You’ve probably heard it before on a TV ad for the US Army, or from a coach, or a motivational speaker. But did you really stop and think about just what that really means? If you sincerely search deep within your mind, heart and body, you can do so much more than you ever imagined before. If you’re not convinced of this, then put it to the test. Do something you never attempted to do before and see just how well you can do it. All you need is: ambition and desire. Once you see this potential in yourself, then you’ll be more confident and courageous to do more in life that you assumed you couldn’t do. Don’t settle for less!

Wish upon a star

Walt Disney

“Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can do it.”

~ Walt Disney

Walt Disney was one of the world’s greatest dreamers. As someone who experienced Disney’s dreams many times for many years when I visited Disneyland as a child and as an adult, I was always amazed at the dream Disney created. Disneyland is a dreamland that is situated in the middle of a bustling mecca called Orange County where can you forget about everything around you as you explore a place like no other. The juxtaposition that exists between reality (OC) and dream (Disneyland) has been amazingly accomplished. Thank you Walt for all the great manifestations you have brought to life for millions of people to enjoy for eternity.

The diet to die for

“A healthy soul needs a steady diet of dreaming, adventure, creativity, friendship, pleasure, and love.”

~ James Filbird

If you want to have a healthy soul that will enable you to truly enjoy all that life can bring you, then follow this diet plan: 
1) A daily dose of dreams that inspire and motivate you
2) An adventure or two each year to someplace exotic and exciting
3) A mixture of creativity, i.e., writing, drawing, painting, singing, dancing, etc.
4)  A batch of friends who will always support and criticize you when you need it
5) An endless amount of pleasure as long as it doesn’t hurt you or anyone else 
6) Sweet love that is shared with all and is never taken for granted 

Instructions: Mix together vigorously each and everyday with passion, purpose, pride and with playful people who enjoy feeding their soul just as much as you do.

Note: This diet is not fattening, but will cause spiritual obesity. Followed properly, this diet will add more years to your life!

Guard these gifts

“The greatest gift you will ever receive is the gift of loving and believing in yourself. Guard this gift with your life. It is the only thing that will ever truly be yours.”

~ Tiffany Loren Rowe

Not only is the ability to love and believe in yourself one of the greatest gifts you will ever receive but they are also ones that cannot be taken from you. So, although there is no need to guard them from being stolen, it is important to guard yourself from letting them fade from your being. Always keep them active and alive in your life and you will manifest more love and self-belief which will make you impervious from losing them. 

A million realities from one fantasy

“Each of us holds a library of knowledge from higher existences. When we quiet the mind this knowledge can reveal itself to us.”

~ Unknown

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can transform one million realities.”

~ Maya Angelou

A million fantasies and realities lie within each one of us if we just take the time to stop and listen to what really makes us who we are as humans — our soul. There, you will find a treasure in your chest full of riches you could never buy with money or receive from anyone else. Spend more time looking for the treasure of a million realities that lie within you instead of chasing dreams that will never lead to one reality.

Are you all you can be?

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

~ Unknown

Life is about learning, searching, watching, listening, reaching, waiting, and dreaming. Along the way, we will stumble and fall but that is not the end at all. Use all your abilities to achieve all you can be in life and you will be happier.

A childlike heart is precious

“The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.”

~ Mencius (371-291 B.C.)

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

~ Samuel Ullman

Even though I am growing older everyday, I will never lose the outlook, happiness and innocence of a child’s heart. When you observe children, they are so carefree and amazed at everything in life. Such a simplistic attitude that allows them to not worry about all of life’s troubles. This is how I try to live my life each day. This is why I call myself the “California Kid” because I will always be a kid at heart. Stay young by not giving up on your ideals because age is just a number. Think young and you’ll stay young. Try it and see!