Words That Influence Us
When we go through our daily lives people, events influence our decisions we make. During our journey we walk (sometimes run if we are in a hurry) along a path. Sometimes we find our path divides into two ore more routes.
Which one do we take?
We need to gather information so we can make an informed decision. You may talk to friends, write things down and seek advice from professionals. We make decisions after weighing up all the information we have gathered. Then we choose the path.
Often we come across inspirational quotes or poems that motivate us along life’s journey. One such poem that has inspired me has been the Serenity Prayer.
These words have helped me focus and gain courage when making difficult decisions. Sometimes I don’t accept the things I cannot change, I get frustrated. Then after a while I accept it. The gaining of wisdom comes with experience and time.
The poem as I know it is as follows…
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
I have discovered that this is an abbreviated version of the actual poem written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). Here is the link.
Let me know what poems or quotes have influenced you in your life’s journey.
See you next time.
Janice.
Howdy Janice,
Ah, missus. Your post topic is one that is close to my heart because for so many years I railed against the phrase my parents taught me: “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!”
My oh my, how wrong they were! Names can hurt very much…
Words have weight.
Words – spoken or written are one of our best methods of remotely transmitting thought and words can build countries or cause a human to end their own life. Yep, words are one of our best discoveries and almost everyone takes them for granted.
I’m like you and have survived 50 some years of life and am just now starting to figure things out. And one of the things I’m figuring out is that I shore do luff dem wirds.
Madam, I am honored to be traveling with you and will stop by your wagon again soon.
Have a grand day, pal.
Barry
Hi Janice
I like the poem.
I’ve always been lucky enough to have the knack of not worrying about things I have no control over.
My favourite quote is ‘Stay Ready So You Don’t Have To Get Ready’!
From Will Smith (Actor)
Makes a lot of sense to me.
I wish you well when you choose which fork to take
cheers
Steve
Hi Janice, I guess mine is ‘don’t cry over spilt milk’. I think we spend too much time beating ourselves up about things. We all make mistakes, let go of them.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hey Janice,
Nice post! I have 2 quotes that I keep above my desk whilst I work from home, they are:
”Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”.
Robert Collier
”The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible”.
Arthur C. Clarke
Regards and take care,
Steve Wilkins.
Hey Janice.
Mine is a Napoleon Hill quote…
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
I only have to think those words and I take action, they are so true.
I also quote it again and again, so much so family and friends now say “as Gert says” and they just get on with it.
Gert
Hi Janice, i have a couple of sayings that help me keep focused and determined to finish what i start.
“Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes”
and
“If man could’ve got off the ship in a storm, he’d never have crossed the ocean”
The way I look at mistakes, “make one once and it’s a lesson make it twice and you’re a fool”
Barry
Hi Janice, the serenity prayer sure lets you look at things from a good sound perspective. I helps give you inner peace if you heed it’s meaning.
I like to think the Glass is half full rather than half empty. I choose to be positive. Terry Conti
Hi Janice,
Funny how we learn things as we get older and when we were kids, we thought we knew everything! Now I use the same sayings as my parents did and my kids think they know everything!! Funny how that works!
A saying that keeps me going?? It’s from the great motivator Zig Ziglar….Don’t get cooked in the squat!! It’s from Biscuits, Fleas and Pump handles and it’s a great story!
And then his famous words….you can have every thing you want in life if you help enough people get what they want!
Love that guy!
Thanks for posting this and making us think of such positive quotes, you made my day!!
Lisa~
Janice
Great site & I think the post is an excellent one.
My saying is IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED……
We don’t always get things right first time but I never see the failures as failures but as chances to improve.
Stay healthy
Alex
Alex Fyfe recently posted..Choosing The Right Exercise For You
Hi Janice
If I an an opinion of somebody or something, be it good or bad,
my ol` mum used to say
“Never Judge A Book By It`s Cover”,
which basically meant don`t make judgements on a person or whatever until you know what`s on the inside.
This for me is a great way to look at thing as you go through life.
Thanks for the thought inducing post!!
Good Luck On The Challenge
Mike
Hi Janice,
Is it an coincidence? Or is it an Omen?
My post for Jacinta’s [100 blog comment challenge] is on the same thought line as yours. I believe in Omen and I am glad to be lead here to know you through this post.
I am going to share here with you and any one else that will be come to this post later an excerpt from something I wrote years ago. Yes is about an awesome friend of mine, his words that Influence Me for a life time.
P/S: I forgive by Not-So-Proper command of English as it is not exactly my 1st language to start with.
********************************************
[This Awesome Friend Of Mine.]
Have you ever know a friend that can really inspires you whenever you are with him or her? I have.
I enjoy every second I spend with him, even though he often visits me in odd places at odd timing; he will appear to me when I was sitting alone at a cafeteria or at 4:00am during my sleepless night. But each time when he visits me, he never failed to give me the comfort and inspirations with his passionate perception to all the pressing questions and meaning of life.
He always greet me with questions like
***********************************************
- Have you found someone to share your heart with?
- Are you giving to your community?
- Are you at peace with your life?
- Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
***********************************************
No one I known speaks like this to me.
When I was torn apart between the decisions of doing what I want, over what was expected from the various roles I play in work and life?
He told me that
***********************************************
“Life is a series of pulls back and forth. That it is common for a lot of us wanting to do one thing, but are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know you shouldn’t; we often take things for granted, even when we know we should not take anything for granted.”
“But however things or events may turn, Love wins! Love always wins!”
***********************************************
These are just a tip of an ice berg of some of the greatest inspirations I learned from this awesome friend of mine. The inspirations he had given me are so much more valuable than any motivational speakers or success gurus I ever knew.
He is not only my dearest friend of all, but also my role model and mentor for life. My only regret in this wonderful friendship was that I really wish I had known him earlier. He died on the 4th of November 1994…..
I only knew him 5 years later.
His name is Morrie Schwartz, a sociology professor of Brandeis University in the city of Waltham, Massachusetts.
14 weeks before Morrie death from a terminal neurological illness called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his former student, Mitch Albom also a journalist and writer, spend every Tuesday with him beside his sickbay and completed one of the most inspirational books that I will hold dear in my heart for the rest of my life, the book was titled: [Tuesdays With Morrie] An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lessons
I know Morrie may not be the typical inspirational person one perceived, but reading that book was more like “a Living Experience” to me; every word Morrie said was as if he was talking to me in person. I never quite understand why I had such a strong feeling on a character from a book, but it happened, and is as real as any friend I know in person.
The following are some other inspirational quotes I learned from Morrie from the book [Tuesdays with Morrie]
***********************************************
” Love wins! Love always wins! ” (Pg 40)
” Don’t let go too soon, but don’t hang on too long. “(Pg 162)
” Ted, this disease is knocking are my spirit. But it will not get my spirit. It’ll get my body. It will not get my sprit. “(Pg 163)
***********************************************
And the following in My Most Favorite Of All, it had helps me and many friends to overcome the unbearable sadness of the sickness or death of someone we dearly love :
***********************************************
As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on—–in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here. Death ends a life, not a relationship. (Pg174)
***********************************************
I Hope We Can All Be Inspired Here and Live a More Meaningful Life from the wisdom from Morrie.
Cheers
Jason Ser
Hi Everyone,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful posts. There are so many different quotes that mean so much. Jason, I’ve seen the movie “Tuesdays with Morrie” and read the book. Very powerful!
Cheers
Janice
Hey Janice
Nice post. I think many of us can relate to the words in that poem.
The difficulty I have is that I have to make some tough decisions that will hurt people that are close to me so I tend to keep putting off making those decisions. The words in your poem are powerful if we let them sink in. A couple of my favourite quotes. “You can if you think you can” ” Act as if it was impossible to fail”
Stan Young recently posted..The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution- Teaching kids how to eat healthy and the debate over a “Fat Tax”
Hi Janice
Great post. My favorite quotes are:
“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right” by Henry Ford and
“If It’s to Be It’s Up to Me” by Yaakov Lieder – I often tell my daughter to say this to herself when she is having ‘problems’ at school. I think I must have told her too many time because I only get to “If” and she says ‘yes mum, I know’. Hopefully it will be a quote that she can use through out her life.
Thanks for helping us all think of some positive word, now we just need to put these words into action.
Take care.
Robyn
Hi Janice
Such a beautiful and inspiring quote, I have written it down and shall put it on the wall in front of my pc for the dark days.
Focus on what you are good at, forget the rest.
Sally
Sally recently posted..To Be The Interviewer Or Interviewee That Is The Question…
Hi Janice,
Thanks for the words of inspiration! Secondly thank you for your very kind comments on my blog which i must admit has been gathering dust for quite sometime now as i unfortunately had to discontinue the masterclass as found it unaffordable after sometime..as out of work at the moment..but its all good. I am learning from a guy called Chris Farrell membership site.
Thank you for adding my blog on your mates list:) I shall start blogging again as i am very much into sharing inspiring and encouraging words with others so we can all grow together in our life journeys.
I have come across many inspiring words but these few come to mind;
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully~ Author unknown.
All the best in your Journey,
Rose
Your poem is hard to beat Janice.
My favourite lines that sum up my laid back and lazy attitude, are lyrics from a song:
WE’RE BUSY DOING NOTHING,
WORKING THE WHOLE DAY THROUGH.
TRYING TO FIND LOTS OF THINGS,
NOT TO DO.
WE’RE BUSY DOING NOTHING,
ISN T IT JUST A CRIME?
WE’D LIKE TO BE UNHAPPY,
BUT WE NEVER DO HAVE THE TIME.
I particularly like the “We’d like to be unhappy, but we never do have the time.”
John
John McNally recently posted..Squeeze Page WEBSITE
Hi Janice, i’m putting a twitter list together for the contributors to the 100 blog comment challenge.
Could you let me have your twitter name please so i can add you to the list.
Barry
Hi Janice –
Fantastic post! And I love so many of the quotes given by everyone in their comments.
The one I have written and taped to my computer is “Focus on the Reward not the Process” which is by Mike Litman, but actually covers the same ground as Barry’s “If man could’ve got off the ship in a storm, he’d never have crossed the ocean”, which is far more poetic. I also like “It is darkest just before the dawn”.
Susan
Susan Owen-Thursfield recently posted..Sometimes it is easier to push on an open door
Hi Janice,
Thanks for sharing this poem and your thoughts with us. By reading of your post, my past started to rewind like an documentary… and recently I also have some realization of the helplessness in human, people tend to get frustrated when we cannot change the situation we don’t want, like our beloved passed away. Here’s a quote from Frederick I wish to add in response to your poem:
“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” — Frederick Buechner, telling the truth.
The quote gives me a lot of relieve and comfort, and I hope it will do for others.
Cheers
Connie
Hi Janice
This is my favorite quote;
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
–Thomas Jefferson
Best wishes
Stuart
Stuart Turnbull recently posted..We need your ‘make money online’ ideas!
Hello Janice,
Many many words influence us and what action we take. I know when I was at school my moto was “First come first served” and my grandparents always told me “If you don’t have the money don’t buy” sorry I had to borrow for the mortgage.
Also I was on holiday last month and one of the shops had many signs to sell to put around the house. Too many to mention but one of my favourite was. Ok it’s not going to change many minds but it put a smile on my face.
“When I die bury me under the pub so my husband can visit me 7 days a week”
Craig
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robyn Campbell, Stan Young. Stan Young said: Words That Influence Us http://bit.ly/b47Q9k via @AddToAny [...]
Hi Janice,
I had too think about this one. My favourite quote is from my mentor Alex Jeffreys. “Keep It Simple Stupid” I do have a tendency to over complicate things so this quote helps me stay on top.
Pete
Pete Carr-Blogging Genius recently posted..Blogging-Why You Should BePart 1
Janice, perhaps the most enlightening quote I have heard, and live by, is “Don’t sweat the small stuff … and it is all small stuff”.
Life is for living, not wondering what might happen if this or that occurs. Live life on the edge because to be anywhere else you’ll miss the great views.
Michael.
Michael Pedzotti recently posted..Guess who is guest posting
Hey Janice,
There are so many things that influence us…words, people, institutions, experiences, etc… I think it was the one of the biggest paradigm shifts I ever had when I made the decision to chose how I wanted to be influenced, as opposed to just following the popular beliefs of the masses like a herd of cattle to the slaughter. Thanks for sharing!
J
Make Money Fast
Carstarphen recently posted..Are Your Weaknesses Defeating You
Hi Janice,
What an inspiring blog…
I remember my late mum giving me a card when I was going through a difficult time in my life which I kept for years it said
“Things are difficult at first..but they will become easy”
Also love the song “Don’t Worry Be Happy”
Good to be here.
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan McHeyzer recently posted..Increase Your Squeeze Page Conversion Rate!
Hi Janice, you have written a thought provoking post, by reminding ourselves of the things which influence us we can gain extra strength and refresh our resolve during any times we might falter and hesitate on our journey to change our lives.
So I’ll start my list with my late father, who was a descent, down to earth hard working man, he put our family first and his own needs second…always, he never wanted much for himself, he was happy just to see his family grow and develop, and its through his practical example that I have the determination to work as hard as necessary…and then some, to give my family as much as I can.
A new addition to my list of influences is a book called ‘The Go-Giver’ written by Bob Burg and John David Man, recommended by John Thornhill, this is an excellent must-read for anyone starting or already in business… if everyone read and followed this book it could literally change the world.
Another book, ‘The Isaiah Effect’ by Gregg Braden has also had a major effect on how I think about the world and about life itself.
I find inspiring any stories of people who go against the odds to do good deeds, to help others and to make a difference in every day life, and people who start out with nothing, but massively change theirs and their families lives for the better through their desire to change and their determination to see it through and never give up.
My determination to never stop working hard for my family also comes from my wife, having been at the birth of both my children and seeing what she had to endure to bring them into this world, whatever I do, however hard I work it will never match what she did for me!
And finally, I am influenced by my kids… watching them grow is an amazing and awe inspiring experience, and its for them that I can never give up my dreams.
The above are not the only influences in my life, but they are what spring to mind most often when I need to give myself a bit of an extra push.
Best Regards
Pete Chapman
Hi Janice, my favourite quote is.
“Do or do not… there is no try.”
Yoda in the Empire Strikes Back
I hate Star Wars!!
Rob
Rob Corrigan recently posted..What Is The Cheapest Way To Start A Business Part 1
Hi Janice
Ever since I inherited a version of “IF” I have been impressed by its significance. It really is something to try and aspire to-well for me anyway
Good luck with the 100 comment challenge!
Best wishes
Mike
Masterclass 2009
Mike recently posted..Internet business plans – traffic!
I like these words:
“Change is not something that happens to you, it’s something that you do to yourself”.
Sandy
Sandy Halliday recently posted..Generating Blog Traffic with the 100 Blog Challenge
Hi Janice,
Your quote is one that my mum uses all the time.
A really though prokoing post.
Here’s one that has really changed my life. I don’t know where it came from but I use it everyday and tell my children (…i call them Monsters Inc…) to just live by this and they’ll be ok.
“Whether you believe you can or you can’t… you’re right!”
Reach new heights,
Nathan
Nathan Rufus recently posted..First The 60 Day Callenge And Now This…
Hi Janice!
I want to share one of my “cheesy” favorite quotes – cheesy because it comes from the show “The Tick”…
It’s when The Tick first meets his chum, Arthur and Arthur mentions something about wanting adventure or looking for adventure. What does The Tick tell him?
“Come have lunch with me, Arthur – adventure will follow!”
I just love this line and it reminds me that adventure doesn’t necessarily happen when we go looking for it. It’s more likely to show up when we least expect it!
Jess Webb recently posted..How Easy are You to Connect With
Hi Janice
I found this great quote in a very old copy of the National Geographic from a very experienced pot holer regarding his teams struggles in Borneo.
“You only fail if you quit”
With this I remind myself that everything else is progress of sorts. Whether its discovering what works or learning never to do that again!
Hi Janice,
My fave quote is from Edward Young – ‘Procrastination is the thief of time’
I can relate to this as some days I love to just be lazy! I know we all need a break, but when I look back I think to myself what could I have done with the time I just wasted?
Great post Janice.
Daniel Sumner recently posted..Self Learning – Outsourcing – Student and Teacher
Hi Janice,
Yes, I think we all have a bit of trouble sometimes accepting things we can not change!
One of my favorite sayings is: “It’s mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.” I have to remind myself of this regularly.
Not let things get to me that I don’t have control over. We only have control over ourselves, what we say and do.
My grandmother used to say: “It’s a good life if you don’t weaken!”
All the best to you!
Sally
Sally Cevasco recently posted..One of the Top Tips!
Hi Janice,
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Thanks for the post.
Alex
Inspire your imagination.
Imagine your inspiration.
Alex@disaster preparations recently posted..Food
Hi Janice,
Very good poem. I like it where it says “Enjoying one moment at a time;” This is what we have to do if we want to be happy.
One of my favorite quotes is:
“You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough other people what they want.” by Zig Ziglar
Thats why the top internet marketers are successful. Because they are giving what other people want and the most of the times for free!
Ok. Here is mine quote.
“In Order To Succeed You Have To Fail First”
I hope you like it.
Andreas
Hi Janice
I’ve always liked “Do or don’t do – there is no try” but I didn’t know it was from Star Wars!
I also like Henry Ford’s “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you are right!”
I’ve posted a link to this page on identi.ca for you.
Martyn Boaden recently posted..What Was Your Biggest Challenge
Hi Janice,
I like a quote from Napoleon Hill, author of think and grow rich.
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve”
Abraham Lincoln:
You’re about as happy as you make up your mind to be”
The Bible:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Steve Troutman recently posted..BoilerMaker 15K Roadrace July 11- 2010
Hi Janice,
Great question! I am quite young to the literary world however old to my own
When I was younger I use to write a lot of poems and they were of the tragic kind, perhaps self-fulfilling because I was studying classical that that’s the way most were structured. However as I got into the language of marketing, it because a whole new ballpark. Emotions was important but so much that provoking action was something more powerful.
Thus I’m trying everyday to craft that side. I find words of wisdom through normal everyday people and even the blog posts I read. Like yours!
Thank you for this topic as I enjoyed it so.
Thu
Thu Nguyen@BloggingFor recently posted..What to Consider When You’re Writing Your Helium Articles
Hi, Janice
I never new that was just part of a longer poem – thank you for giving the link to the whole.
Yes, words so have such and effect on us – and can change you from a positive attitude to a negative one all too quickly.
My current favourite poem is the Old Nun’s Prayer. Do you know it?
http://www.spirit-path.net/nunsprayer.htm
Maybe it’s because I’ve watched my mother grow old and feel it’s so true that I don’t want to go that way too!
Keep writing those cool words
Jennifer
Jennifer@Online Business Making Money at Home recently posted..Top Internet Marketing Promotions – Bonus
Janice, I got here from the 100 Blog Comment Challenge. And I have a copy of the shortened Serenity Prayer hanging in my hall at home. But my favorite poem, the one that inspires me, is Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost. It was featured in the book and movie “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, which was huge in shaping me as a pre-teen.
Hi Janice, Good post.
My favourite quote is: “He who holds the ladle dishes out the soup.”
In other words, Work for yourself, not someone else then you can hold the ladle.
Best Wishes on your blog challenge.
Brian.
Brian Ripley recently posted..Persistence and Perseverance
HI Janice, I guess my favorite quotes are “Less is more” (I like to keep things simple) and “The eyes believe themselves, the ears believe other people” (you should always form your OWN opinions about things, not take every one’s word for everything!)
Thanks for the post.
Gwen
Gwen Tanner recently posted..Response cached until Fri 13 @ 14:37 GMT (Refreshes in 56 Minutes)
Hi Janice
You’ve started something inspirational here
and it is great to read the varied comments.
The one that jumped out for me as I read was :-
Come to the edge
We might fall
Come to the edge
Its too high
COME TO THE EDGE
And they came
And he pushed
And they flew
(Christopher Logue)
Good luck with the 100-blog comment challenge
Eamon
Hey Janice,
Not a big fan of religion, but I am of that expression!
My favourite would have to be “change the way you look at things and the things you look at change” It is a constant reminder for me to change my attitude for the better.
Thanks for provoking awesome thoughts
Alex@niche site marketing recently posted..The Ultimate Keyword Research Resource – Available Now!
Hi Janice
Ah yes the getting of wisdom, how little words can influence us and the outcomes we receive. My favourite quote is from the little bear with no brain Winnie The Pooh (with a little help from A A Milne).
On taking action – “When you have nothing else to do, do something”
Best wishes
Anne
Hi Janice…
Oh goodness…I have so many favorites…;)
An all time favorite:
“As we are God once was…as God is we shall become.”
My favorite quote:
I wear a bracelet that my daughter gave me everyday that has these words inscribes inside:
“…to thine own self be true….”
Reminds me to stay within my integrity
I wish you lots of luck with the challenge
Kathy
Kathy Dobson@Outsourcing to the Philippines recently posted..Outsourcing to the Philippines…Your Questions Answered
Hi Janice:
your blog post and title is out of this world. I knew this poem
very well. I loved it so much when I read it first time. I had a hand embroidered frame of the short version. Reading it today at your post just reminded it all. Words are really very important. That is the reason it is said use good words for the children. Because once these children grow up they remember those words if not said in a good way to them. But I have a feeling we are learning to treat our children better and better and that is a good thing. Perfection is very hard to find. We all can only try so much. Any how nice post and hope to see some more from you.
Fran Aslam
Fran Aslam@kw Luv recently posted..How To Write An eBook That Is Included In The Best Seller List
Janice:
This was a very thought provoking post!
I really enjoyed reading the others comments with their favorite sayings or poems. I recognized quite a few of them and some of them were brand new to me.
My favorite and one that me and my wife constantly share with our kids is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I also like the pithy quotes of Mark Twain, “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.” – Mark Twain
- Rick
Rick Byrd recently posted..Should We Remove the Dates From Our Blogs Posts
Hi Janice
You are right, there are always people and words that influence us in our decisions during our life journey.
My favourite quote is the classic one – “Time and tide waits for no man”.
Enjoy your journey!
Rgds
Vivien
Vivien@Internet Marketing recently posted..Five Great Reasons Why you Should be an Internet Marketer
Hi Janice,
I love quotes and use them all the time in my blogging life. I love the Serenity prayer and had a copy on my fridge for a long time. The quote that comes to mind for this exercise is:
“Everything can be taken from a man but … the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor E. Frankl
I have tweeted your post and look forward to your visit duirng this 100 Day Comment Challenge.
Best,
Eliz
ElizOF recently posted..A Photo Journal of NYC Part II- Four Places to Visit This Summer
Hey Janice,
The serenity prayer is a good one. Instantly puts things into a larger perspective, and brings inner peace.
There are 2 quotes that I think about a lot, and they are similar in their ability to widen my perspective.
“We are spiritual beings having a human experience”. I am not simply a human. I am so very much more, and my resources are unlimited.
“Have the Best Day Ever, Everyday!” Make every moment count. “Someday” doesn’t exist, and if I don’t choose to live my life like an adventure right NOW, then I am choosing to miss out. This is another way to say “Living in the Bonus Round”, which is a luscious concept that I speak about on my site.
Thanks for asking this question. There are a lot of nourishing quotes in the comments that are sure to inspire your readers.
Peace,
Lauren
Lauren Lionheart recently posted..What Is Life In the Bonus Round
Hi Janice,
Love your post, it is very inspiring.
One of my favourite quotes is by Woody Allen…
“The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have”.
I try to think of this whenever I am not happy with my lot.
Thank you for sharing this Janice.
Regards,
Brian
Brian Alcock recently posted..So You Failed…So What!!
Hi Janice,
One recent quote I heard (in the Karate Kid movie we wnet to see a couple of weeks ago) was “When life knocks you down, you can choose whether to get up or not”.
This is important in online business – there are many problems and road blocks to get past and those who “get up” again will be the ones that succeed in the long term,
Thanks
Keith
Keith Purkiss recently posted..How To Get to The Next Level
Hi Janice,
There are those who talk all day and say nothing, then there are those who speak volumes with very few words. You fall in the last category. Very nicely done. There are a lot very notable comments posted here. Thanks to you all for the very worthwhile and informative quotes.
Have a great day and may it get even better.
Justin
Justin recently posted..Cost Vs Price – Is There A Difference
Hi Janice
Excellent quote, makes a lot of sense. Words do have a profound impact on our next steps …
One of my favourite quotes is “The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”.
One of the quotes from our internet marketing world that I like is “don’t try to get it perfect, get it going”
Cheers!
Abizer
Hi Janice,
Loved that prayer from the time my wife’s family gave it to me many years ago, and never realised, or thought aboput, it’s origins. so thank you for that.
I recognised many of the sayings mentioned here.
Here are a couple that moved me
1. Mark Twain
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
2. Maria Robinson
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending
good luck with the 100 challenge
Here’s a recent post of mine, with some great music too (well I think so!) http://richard-davy.com/100-no-110-blog-comment-challenge/
Hi Janice,
As someone has already mentioned Zig Ziglar I thought I’d mention a poem instead of a quote…
(Though I do still favour Zig quote about helping others get what they want…lol)
But here is the poem from Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich:
“I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.”
Love it
Randy
http://www.RandolfSmith.com
Randy Smith@Internet Marketing Rambles recently posted..A Negative Review- MobileMonopoly – Don’t Buy It! Plus other news
Janice:
What a beautiful post…The Serenity Prayer has had a profound impact on my life. I learned it at a time when I was experiencing a lot of anger and frustration…from not having the wisdom to know what I could do something about…and what I couldn’t do anything about. If I cannot do anything about it, I have learned to “let it go.” It’s taken some practice and age to learn this, but I am now at peace with myself. I still get kind of upset when I cannot help a situation but I don’t let it ruin my day. And for those situations I can help, I am fully committed.
Thanks for getting involved in the 100 blog challenge. I’m glad I got to meet you.
Kat
Kat@eBayLearning recently posted..10 Tips to Buying Cars on eBay Motors
Janice
Thanks for the words of wisdom and inspiration. i find watching The Secret is a good source of motivation/inspiration for me and there are a number of learnings and quotes. One of my favourites is “Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting”. Keep up the good work.
Tom
Tom Harvey recently posted..Video Marketing – Anatomy Of A Successful Affiliate Campaign
Hello Janice,
Good post and got everyone thinking. I guess my favourite (from a song not a poem so I’m cheating) is ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ from the Monty Python film Life of Brian. My colleagues and I have often sung that song to cheer us up when things are going up the creek at work or some maniac is trying to force us off the road (we’ve worked in quite a few middle east countries and the polite way to put it is that their driving is not quite up to our standards!).
By the way I love the NASA widget, will definitely be getting one of those!
Good luck
Cheers
Dave
Dave Smith recently posted..Your Own Online Business-Build A Niche Blogging Business-Picking A Niche Market
Great Post! I guess my quote is Always look at what you have.
Life throws plenty of challenges and you never know what you will lose or gain.
“With our thoughts we make the world” – Buddha
This quote has had a deep effect upon me.
The knowledge that what goes on inside you changes what you perceive without.
Daniel M. Wood @ Sales Techniques, Motivation and Success recently posted..Back To Work! Back To Work! Back To Work!
Hi Janice,
Your quote is the same I have been fortunate enough to be using for over 40 years. My mother in-law gave me a plaque that I have on the wall next to my computer. My wife & I have used this as a marriage counsellor. Yes really, it has been inspirational in our relationship.Would love to talk more about that with you one day.
We are part on the 100 at http://theequest.com/?p=3018.
Nice to meet you.
Thanks
Pierre
Hi Janice,
Many thanks for your post.
There are many quotes that pick me when times are tough, or make sense of awkward and hard situations.
Some of the quotes are from the late great Jim Rohn and the following always gives me a poke in the right direction:
“Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better.”
All the best.
Andy
Andy Brown recently posted..The 4 Essentials Every Affiliate Program Should Have
Hi Janice,
Love the Serenity prayer, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had the wisdom?
There are some great quotes here but my favourite at the moment has to be ” If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Great post
Michelle
Hi Janice,
This is really a good post topic and it has been fun to read through the comments!
My favorite quote is:
I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, “Got any shoes you’re not using?”
-Steven Wright
Oh wait, that’s the wrong one!
I actually have a lot of quotes I really like, but here is a short one that I have always been able to remember:
“Yesterday os history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.”
Hi Janice,
This is really a good post topic and it has been fun to read through the comments!
My favorite quote is:
I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, “Got any shoes you’re not using?”
-Steven Wright
Oh wait, that’s the wrong one!
I actually have a lot of quotes I really like, but here is a short one that I have always been able to remember:
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Keep the words flowing!
Mark
[...] 9, Janice Lawrenz: http://janice-lawrenz.com/words-that-influence-us/ [...]
Hi Janice,
I finally got here! Just started my blogging rounds after finally getting all the contributors on board. Plus I am taking a table as I go around to make sure everyone is doing the right thing.
So far so good. Just hope everyone gets a little blog hopping this week before the 31st of August!
Re words that have influenced me: I have many however the most simplist one that keeps me going when I get frustrated is….
“Where there is a will, there is a way!”
I have no idea where that came from or when I heard it, however it has been very effective for me over the last 10 years.
Hope you are enjoying the challenge.
Cheers
Jacinta
Jacinta Dean recently posted..The 100 Blog Comment Challenge Update!
Hi Janice,
Amazing, you have a similar post to Jason Ser, so I can only repeat what I wrote there. I am not into poetry but my favourite quote is one I made up myself, as I can’t remember reading it anywhere -
“Always be the best at what you do”
It can be the goal for whatever line of work you are involved in
and is one I have always tried to live by. Sometime it can take years to achieve but it is attainable.
Regards,
Bill
Hi Janice, awesome post and comments! The Neibuhr poem excerpt you quoted is also known as the “serenity prayer” and it’s a favorite of mine to. I recommend anything by poet David Mertz if it can be found. I can’t wait to read Tuesday’s with Morrie after reading Jason’s excellent comment. It’s nice to meet you Janice. Be well, Steve D.
I always liked “Houston, we have a problem”…
Because a problem is a challenge that we can overcome and benefit from. Sometimes we can make successes out of our failures too
Clare@Best time to visit Disney World recently posted..How to plan the perfect Walt Disney World vacation
Hi Janice
The first one that comes to mind is – Behind every good man is a good woman (very true).
Some other quotes that have influenced me are – Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.
And – The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they cant find them they make them.
Nice to meet you and good luck with the challenge
Regards
Dawn Kay
Dawn Kay recently posted..Free Internet Marketing Blueprints and Checklist Guides
Hi Janice,
Great topic! I believe the quote that has been most influential in my life has been, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lorina Noble
Miss Mindset Makeover
Millionaire Mindset
Lorina Noble recently posted..Mobile Marketing is Huge! 18 year old Changes the Game!
Hi Janice, So many great phrases have been posted here it’s fantastic to see how other peoples minds work. My favourite is simply ‘Just Do It’ You only live once so why have regrets about what you could have done when its there to do.
Loved the topic
Keith
Keith Alston recently posted..Holiday Time Again!
Sounds cheesy, but here goes:
Do or do not.
There is no try.
Yoda tosses it out for us. Take action. There is no try action when it comes down to it. Thanks for a great post!
Jerry
Jerry@ TheOnlineSuccessProgramBlog.com recently posted..How do they find you Ways to get noticed…
Hi Janice
This is a wonderful topic, it really got me thinking, there are just so many quotes and poems that can inspire us.
There are some great ones quoted above.
I will keep comming back to your post to read them again
I thought of this one by Christopher Logue, “called come to the edge”
it’s about trusting you instincts
Come to the edge
We might fall
Come to the edge
It’s too high
COME TO THE EDGE
And they came
and he pushed
and they flew
Janice, mine is kind of a family quote from my father:
“Air Force! Did you say Air Force!?! Son, Air Force or Navy are okay, but if you’d have said Army or Marines, I’d have kicked your butt out the front door!” – James R. Kilgallon, Lieutenant, USN (Retired), after I told him I had joined Air Force ROTC in 1977.
With his acceptance of my first major career decision I knew I could stand on my own! And have ever since…..
Thanks for the reminder, John.
John Kilgallon@Restaurant Recipe Secrets recently posted..Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2- More Amazing Clones of Famous Dishes from America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains
Great topic! It’s always nice to read a blog and feel encouraged! My favorite quote is from Yoda – “Do or do not, there is no try”. I’m doing my best to live that quote. If I can’t do it, I don’t want to go into a project with the mindset that I’ll give it a good try.
Thanks,
Patrick
Patrick Lynch recently posted..The Sea and Where To Be
Hi Janice,
Words do influence us but we also have the ability to not pay attention to words with undesirable influence.
Anything uplifting and positive is what I like to entertain in my thoughts.
Vance
Vance Sova recently posted..John Chow’s Last Dot Com Pho In Vancouver- Live Event Networking
Hi Janice,
Here’s one that a working partner would always say here goes,
Don’t sweat the small stuff and there’s no such thing as any big stuff.
Have a great day.
Enjoy the Challenge.
Mike
Mike Fleming recently posted..100 Blog Comments Challenge
Hi Janice
There are so many quotes that I find inspirational or motivational that it would be impossible for me to choose a favourite.
There are two things that I always try to bear in mind though. One is that “if you have your health and your strength, you have everything”. That’s the one I try to focus on when everything seems to be going wrong because as long as you and your loved ones are healthy, nothing else really matters in the grand scheme of things.
And the one that keeps me going when my attempts to make money on the internet seem to be going nowhere is Edison’s quote that “many of life’s failures are people who didn’t realise how close they were to success when they gave up”.
And I’m not giving up on completing this 100 Blog Comments Challenge, even though it’s now two days past the deadline!
Warm Regards
Lynn
Hi Janice,
One of my favorite quotes is “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
This always keeps me willing to try a different way of doing things. LOL.
Fran T recently posted..Nopalea and My Knee
This is my second go around to make sure everyone’s post gets a tweet for the 100 comment challenge. I have tweeted your post. I am #68 on Jacinta’s list. I wrote about the value of a positive mental attitude. If you didn’t leave me the requisite comment on my blog post, one will be appreciated!
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Hi Janice
I like the poem. Really interesting encouraging post. It good to read a post that teaches and suggest the right thing to do as well. I believe this is the kind of realization that every person must put into consideration. To accept and not worrying about things that beyond their control . Thanks for bringing this discussion into life. Hope more interesting discussion will follow.
Hi Janice,
The choice to finally surrender to what we cannot change can certainly be a challenging one. For me that choice usually arrives after I have been swimming upstream for a very long time. What can I say? I’m a slow learner.
How is your course work coming along?
Joelle
Joelle Hughes recently posted..Generate Traffic with Marketing Videos
Hi Janice
I try to use motivational/encouraging poems and phrases in my posts. Ther are many loners out there who need: A; Support and Encouragement; and B: Company.
Two things that support me:
-
Hi Janice
Sorry about the repeat, the machine did it – honest!
I try to use motivational/encouraging poems and phrases in my posts. Ther are many loners out there who need: A; Support and Encouragement; and B: Company.
Two things that support me:
- A copy of the famous “Desiderata” you can find it on the web;
- A bookmark my dad left me “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they’re yours”.
Oh . . just another (bit deep) This is life, this is not a practise.
If you’re interested in Nighttime Chaos and Gerald. Pay me a visit (you”l like Gerald).
Regards
Alan
[...] 9, Janice Lawrenz: http://janice-lawrenz.com/words-that-influence-us/ [...]
Hi Janice,
Thank you for your inspiration. Whatever decisions and journeys we take in life, if we strive to be happy and cheerful, then whatever the outcome, we can say we did our best. One of my favourite poems, below, sums it up perfectly. Kindest Joanne
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata
——————————————————————
Joanne Thomson recently posted..John Thornhill’s Masterclass – Weeks 1-5