“Be understanding to your enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with that you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.
Above all, be yourself. ” ~ Author Unknown
Wowzers. This one is so great. Definitely printing this to put up on my board Lance. Really is something I can gain from on a daily basis. Thanks!
~rupal
Rupal´s last blog post..Pipe In! Shout out! Make your voice heard!
Every Sunday, I have new activity..checking what’s your next Sunday Thought For The Day. One Sunday thought a day, keep negative away. This one is one of my favorite. And I love the picture. Thank You LAnce
suddenly slimmer´s last blog post..Becoming Alia Balboa : part 2
Love your Sunday thoughts Lance! This one speaks volumes to me. It says balance, it says compassion, it says be humble. There are a lot of lessons here! Thanks!
Natalia Burleson´s last blog post..Acceptance, Job Interview
I so look forward to starting my day/week here.
above all BE YOURSELF.
‘do what you want and say what you feel cuz those who mind dont matter and those who matter DONT MIND’ (poorly quoted. Dr Seuss
)
Miz´s last blog post..Gratitude. Spread the Mood. Last Day O’Freebies. (Go ‘head & Brood.)
Thanks for a beautiful thought to carry me through this day and into the week!
Susan Mazza´s last blog post..The Red Car Theory of Leadership
Lance– What a wonderful quote to start the week by emulating. Thank you for always being an inspiration.
Jay´s last blog post..The Sunday Ponder
Lance,
I wrote the entire quote down in my journal because I know I will have to refer back to it many times, and spend a lifetime doing what it says. It’s beautiful.
Daphne´s last blog post..Offensive Judging and Defensive Judging
I think this is great except for the line about being foolish enough to believe in miracles. I think it’s a bold and beautiful thing to believe in miracles. If you don’t you will miss them!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog post..What Was Your Biggest Insight In January 2009?
Hi Lance
Really touches one’s heart.
Especially: “Above all, be yourself“
It seems a difficult one for many in this world today.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers Of Introversion: Starting The Process
Lance you always pick a great thought to start the week on a positive note…“Above all be yourself.” I find it so sad that we struggle to do that…when did society say who we are isn’t good enough?
that’s a great one. Be yourself.….….…something I tried to work against for years!
Annette´s last blog post..
“Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.” This is the best line in the whole bunch. Keep believing my friend.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last blog post..Off Kilter, Pissed and Real
I always love the Jungle of Life thought of the day. My favorite line is “Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.” I’ve heard it said that to be born into these bodies it’s equivalent to a person in a plane throwing a Hula hoop out into the Pacific Ocean and having a turtle poke it’s head up within that hoop.
We are living a miracle every single day. It’s up to us to appreciate this opportunity, every moment of every day. I know that we all struggle at times. I certainly have, but if we can keep bringing ourselves back to the miracle that is “being alive,” we can extract so much more joy than if we believe we are living a ho hum existence.
Karl — Work Happy Now´s last blog post..30 Days of No Complaining – Wisdom Multiplied
(smile) If we are WiSE enough to believe in miracles, all the rest will fall into place!!
Julie´s last blog post..A Storm is Coming
“Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.” This one is so difficult to do but very true. I like how it says “they may change.” How much time do we spend trying to change others? We can only change ourselves. By loving people who can’t give it in return you are honoring God and growing yourself up. Great quote Lance. Each line contains a pearl of wisdom. Each stanza will speak to a particular person depending on the circumstances he is facing in this day. Very nice.
Lance,
Nice thought–and well timed–for all of us. There is such insensitivity in our everyday comings and goings, just a quick check of our hearts and emotions would do everyone some good.
Great post, great writing, and great day!
Danny
Danny Clayton´s last blog post..Tell me again how porn is victimless
Ah Lance, I’m loving this one, as always. I would add that there is a time to follow, even if we do know the way. There are times when we are to submit to authority, and in that “weakness,” we are very, very strong.
Lance, that is lovely to read this morning
Thanks for sharing this today. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Caroline´s last blog post..My new home…
Hi Lance!
Now you know that your site is my haven, where I come to ponder and smile!:) Thank you so much for you!
“You can smile with your eyes closed but not your heart.!” ~Henie~
Henie´s last blog post..What’s so Funny?
I ditto ditto ditto Tom’s comment!
Henie´s last blog post..What’s so Funny?
Speaking of generous, I recently started to offer free bllog consulting sessions. You should check it out Lance.
Success Factors´s last blog post..Gary Vaynerchuk Case Study: The Mom and Pop Advantage
Lance–
“Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with that you need yourself.”
Wow! This is EXACTLY what I needed to read today! THANK YOU!!!
Kathy @ Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Cash4Gold and the Ensuing Social Media Firestorm
Above all Be Yourself. Each of us is here for a purpose as unique as each individual. If we try to be something or someone we’re not, it’s not just us who misses out.
kathy´s last blog post..Dance, Dance, Dance
This is beautiful; thank you for sharing. It really captures the sense of what it means to be an individual in context of the community and the world.
Elizabeth Barrette´s last blog post..Joining Community Supported Agriculture
wow what a quote…I need to print this out and put it on the bathroom mirrior!!!!
To “be loving to those who love you” is to grasp the power of reciprocity. At the same time, those people who evoke anger or discomfort in you are the kinds of people who need love most.
Liara Covert´s last blog post..10 Ways stretch your capacities
Great thought. If we could all just be ourselves all the time the world would be a better place. Thanks for sharing!
Blake´s last blog post..Another Dinner Snap Shot
I love it! My favorite line is the last one — by yourself!
Biz´s last blog post..Cincinnati Chili
Thanks for the inspiring quote!! I have one more to share for myself: Be comfortable not knowing what I do not know. Have faith that each step will unfold in its own time. Each step will be revealed to me when the time is ripe.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Wings Of Love
Oh Lance — “BE YOURSELF” what could be more priceless than that?!
The whole poem is very beautiful and inspiring, but there is a catch, many people really do not know how to be themselves and hence act out in ways they picked up from others or ways that they “think” they are supposed to act. I have found that for many people it is in fact a great challenge and a whole huge learning curve to actually learn how to and have the courage to be themselves.
I hope that this post from you inspires many to really look within and let their real selves come through — for then we do believe in miracles, we do help others, we do share and lead and all the rest. When we are ourselves — it is then that we always live out our highest potential.
Evita´s last blog post..The Helpful and Harmful Side of Stress
@Rupal — I’m happy to hear you liked this Rupal! This just hits on so many areas of life in short little snippets.
@Suddenly Slimmer — Hi Alia. Glad you liked this one — when I saw this one I knew I had to include it as a Sunday Thought. Always great to see you here…
@Natalia — This one says so much to me, too. Really, there are so many different angles this takes, and yet it all ties back to being ourselves. It is a wonderful quote, isn’t it!
@Miz — “Be Yourself” — that is so important, yet so easy to bury in our efforts to please others, or do what everyone else is doing, or a myriad of other things. And that IS a great Seuss quote — and I think you’re pretty close on it as well — fits here well doesn’t it! Thanks for sharing it Carla!
@Susan — Your welcome, Susan. This is one I hope to carry with me always (easier said than done, I know…). Thanks for stopping by today!
@Jay — Thanks Jay! Yes, if we can follow these principles, think of how our lives could be — wonderful thought, eh!
@Daphne — Thanks so much, Daphne! This IS one to hang on to. That you’ve written it down, just shows how much this means to you. And I agree, this is a beautiful thought!
@Tess — Yes, I think this is great too! I wonder if it’s the wording — I think it is bold and beautiful to believe in miracles — and yet I also see the point in this thought — about being foolish. My take is that we sometimes get caught up in “proper” and crazy ideas — are seen as that — crazy — because they don’t fit a norm we’ve defined. In being “foolish” — I see this as exactly what you’re saying — being bold — and really believing… Thanks for the thought Tess, it’s gotten me really thinking about this line, and that’s very good!
@Juliet — This does touch the heart…in many wonderful ways. And yes, that last line — about being yourself — that can be difficult for many in our world today. Yet, if we aren’t truly ourselves, who are we, really?
@Stacey Shipman — Hi Stacey. It is sad when we aren’t ourselves. When we feel like we must put up a façade. And what does that façade get us? Happiness? No. Love? Probably not. A bigger salary? Maybe — but at what price? I’m thinking of something you wrote recently about thinking about your death (I think you did) — and what really matters. And I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who would say they were glad they put up this façade. In fact, I think quite the opposite…
@Annette — I think it’s something we probably have all struggled with, to some extent, and a point in our lives. The thing is, where you are at now — and I think you are doing fabulously at being yourself — what I see you present sure comes across that way — and that’s pretty awesome!
@Tom — I am believing Tom… And from what I know of you, I sure you are as well!
@Karl — Wow! When I really think about that — it is really quite profound. We are, each one of us, living miracles! How cool and awesome is that! Karl, I’m loving this thought of how our lives are miracles — and we should treat them as such! Wow! Thank you for that thought!
@Julie — And a smile right back at you Julie! I love your thought here too — how all will fall into place if we’ll just believe! Beautiful!
@Laurie — Oh, you are so right on this one being difficult. This is probably what I’d say is the hardest for me — loving those who do not love me. And I love your thought about each stanza speaking to us depending on where we are and what’s going on in our lives at the moment. Thank you, Laurie, for your always valuable input…
@Danny — Yes, the insensitivity of our everyday’s… And what does that get us? Less love. Less joy. More unhappiness… Listen to our hearts, that’s what I’m hearing you say — and that is a great thought. If we listen to our deep within’s — we’ll see that we are centered — and we “know’ what to do… Thanks for stopping by here today!
@Audra — This one says so much to me! I’m loving it too! Following, even when we do know the way — I like that very much, Audra. Sometimes we submit to others and that’s okay. It shows love. It shows confidence. It shows trust. Thanks for this this thought Audra…
@Caroline — And may your Sunday be beautiful as well, Caroline! I’m very happy that you’ve enjoyed this ‘thought’ today. I did too…
@Henie — And I know I can always count on your for a smile, my friend! And your own added thoughts that continue to amaze me with the insight contained within them. Keep on believing in those miracle out there Henie…
@Success Factors — Hi Derek. I’ll stop over and see what you have going on, thanks for the heads up.
@Kathy@Virtual Impax — Knowing that these words touch people in special ways — it’s really what makes doing this so worth it. So, thank you, Kathy, for sharing this today — you’ve put a little extra bounce in my step…
@Kathy — Each of us DOES have a purpose! And by us not living our purpose, how is that affecting those around us? That’s a great thought to this Kathy…
@Elizabeth — Thank you, Elizabeth. Being an individual, yes — that’s what it’s about. And just think of what that can mean for our world if everyone, really and truly understood this… Thanks for stopping by today!
@Bobbi — Print away! I should too…it’s so much good stuff contained within these words…
@Liara — Giving and receiving, a powerful thought Liara. And also — to your other point — you are right on with who needs love the most — people who evoke discomfort in us. And it might be exactly what they need, and have been lacking in their lives — which leads to the discomfort.
@Blake — Yes, if we could all just be ourselves…why is that so hard sometimes? Thanks Blake.
@Biz — “Be yourself” — two words, and they say so much! Thanks Biz!
@Evelyn — You are very welcome Evelyn! And you’ve added some great thoughts to this discussion. Being comfortable with what we don’t know. Evelyn, what a concept that holds so much wonderful possibilities! Just because we are experiencing something new to us, doesn’t mean we should shut ourselves out from the possibility of what it all means. I really love this Evelyn. It speaks so much to looking at life with an open mind and heart, and that’s a very wonderful way to view our world…
@Evita — It really is priceless — if we can truly achieve the concept of “be yourself”. Like you say, Evita, how do people really know when they are being themselves? And when are they acting, and maybe even believing it to be their “true north”. It does take much courage — and courage is not always easy to enlist. The status quo can seem so much easier. Yet, years from now, when our life on earth is ending, how happy will we really be if we followed the status quo all our lives? Evita, I think what you’ve written is full of so much truth. Getting to “be yourself” can be a complete change in mindset, and one that can seem like too much to conquer sometimes. Yet, what else is there, really, if we don’t truly reach that state of being where we become who we are meant to be…
that fourth line. that’s my trip up.
working on it. great post!
brandi´s last blog post..joy rebel faq
Another one for the board! Thanks Lance!
I love this poem. The key word being “Be.” Being is what life is all about. Thanks for putting a thought in my head and a smile on my face, Lance.
LisaNewton´s last blog post..Walking to the Fowler
Being inspiring is not a new thing to you.This is another great example for that.I think it’s better to get this printed and keep it under table glass so that I can see it frequently.Keep up your great works.
vikum´s last blog post..Delinquents….
Wonderful! Most important “BE”!
Mark´s last blog post..Valentines Day — Just Another Day to Those Who Are Romantic
Hi Lance,
Wow — this is beautiful and one I haven’t heard before. I’m working on:
“Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.” Wonderful words to begin the week and I will be printing this one out as a reminder! Thank you Lance!
Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannion´s last blog post..Claim Your Personal Power
Hi Lance. This is a a great one you have chosen for this week. You have a knack for doing that.
I really like them all, but my favorite was the last one:
“Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.”
It’s the most difficult, but the most rewarding. When we realize that those who don’t love us are actually telling us that they really don’t love themselves (It’s not about us) then it becomes much easier to love them. Then we see them as God intended them. Responding in love is a powerful thing that can make a real difference in these people.
Jennifer´s last blog post..Stress — Prevention and Relief
Now, THAT’S a great quote! My Monday Thought for the day as I’m 24 hours late, but this could stand up for all time, of course. And what part am I going to take with me most today?
This part… “Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.” Amen!
And this one is just plain beautiful…! Be foolish enough to believe in miracles. I do, I do!!
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..In a nutshell
Hi Lance!
Beautiful Spiritual Words of Wisdom.
Thanks Again for such thoughts to hold high regard for in life.
Hi Lance, how wonderful the quote is. My favorite line is “Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.“
I copied the quote to my collection. Thank you, Lance.
Arswino´s last blog post..Life That Can Be Explained In One Sentence
I would love to know the background of a poem like this– whenever the author is unknown, it just makes me so curious as to who they were and what kind of life they lived and what inspired their writing. It’s a beautiful piece.
Sagan´s last blog post..Book Review: “The Body Fat Solution” by Tom Venuto
@Brandi — “…weak enough to know we cannot do everything alone” — yep, that’s a tough one for me too. And one I can work much more on. And your bringing it up here, Brandi, reinforces that point for me. Thank you. And I wish you well in your quest toward more understanding with this, as well.
@Mark Salinas — This is an awesome one, I agree! Thanks Mark!
@LisaNewton — “BE” — is such a small word, and yet it means so much! Truly BEing is so powerful and enlightening. Thank you Lisa, for seeing the power of this one simple word — BE. You’re putting a thought into my head, as well!
@Vikum — I agree! This one is really worthy of being printed out and displayed prominently — where it can be seen often. And these words can become more a part of our being…
@Mark/ToBeMe — Thanks Mark! “BE” is such an important word — and one we can all do well to put more focus on in our lives…
@Jenny Mannion — It really is beautiful, especially when we really let these words soak into our souls. How often do we think we can “do it all” and we don’t need help. And yet, accepting the help of others can be so freeing. This is one I struggle with, and where I need to put some focus. Your welcome Jenny. And really, thank you for your continued support, and all the wonder you always add with your thoughtful comments…They are appreciated very much. You are appreciated very much…
@Jennifer — Hi Jennifer! Thank you! Some weeks are easier than others. when I found this “thought”, it all came together pretty easily this week — it was one I knew felt “right”. Oh, how powerful your thought is here Jennifer. As hard as it is to love those who don’t love us — they really are the ones who need that so much — who need someone to stand up and love them. For who they are. And that you bring up God’s love — His awesome love for us. And if we can share some of that with others — what a gift we’re passing on! And I’m learning this more and more each day — just how powerful love can be. Jennifer, continue to be a beacon of love for the world — you are — and it matters…to everyone you come in contact with. Including me…
@Jannie — Better late than never, right Jannie! I’m glad your here today — you’re “eye” is staring me down today, and well, keeping an eye on me… I need that once in a while! The part about being loving to those who don’t love you — see what I said to Jennifer above — I mean that all for you too. You are a beacon of love in the world. For me. For everyone your life touches. And I am honored to have our paths crossed. You give me hope and beam happiness into our world! And foolish enough to believe in miracles — I think you exude that characteristic so well — and I mean that with only the highest regard — I think it’s awesome how you embrace life and all it’s possibilities!!
@Diane — Hi Diane! There really is so much here — and spiritually, this can become very deep and moving. Thank you, Diane, for your thoughts here today…
@Arswino — Hi Arswino. The line about being foolish enough to believe in miracles — that really is such a great line! It really says to me to always, always believe… Thanks Arswino.
@Sagan — This is so beautiful. And unknown. And mysteriuos. Who wrote something so wonderful, and what were they like as a person? It really would be great to know. My wife thinks I’m getting to know this guy (or gal) called “Author Unknown” pretty well! I say he(she) is still pretty mysterious, though!
“Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.“
“Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.”
I enjoyed these quotes the most. Sometimes I really want to know my final destination, but on the other hand, not knowing creates a bit of excitement and suspense that makes life so darn interesting.
Thanks for the thought! I’m now off to sleep!
Happiness Is Better´s last blog post..Book Review: The One Minute Entrepreneur
Great guidelines for life Lance, thanks.
Mindful Mimi´s last blog post..It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait — James Whistler
Yet another insightful Sunday ponder! I love this one the most
“Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.”
When we stop judging who we should give our love to or how much of love we should give, that’s when we really hit the true meaning of the phrase unconditional love. Thanks so much Lance for the reminder
Celes | EmbraceLiving.Net´s last blog post..25 Brainstorming Techniques
@Happiness Is Better — You make a great point, that sometimes it’s comforting to know where we’re going — and yet other times — it’s great to just go out, get lost, and just explore…
@Mindful Mimi — These are great, I agree!! Thanks for stopping in Mimi!
@Celes — Yes, judging…who are we to judge others — not knowing what they’ve been through. And yet, it’s so easy to do — and that makes these two lines so so important. Reaching closer to unconditional love — what a great place to work toward! Thanks Celes!
Lance.… Your site and another of your wonderful quotes is featured in the latest CelebraZine (Celebrate What’s Right in the World).…
thank you.
blessings and joy,
CG
CG Walters´s last blog post..CelebraZine 13Feb09
Lance, I absolutely love this! I am going to print it up and hang it up at work and at home! All too often so much of what is said is completely forgotten about. There are many things that can inspire you on a rough day at work, it’s just perfect!
Thank you for sharing it with us, we all need to read this DAILY!!
Jenny´s last blog post..Not My Omega