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"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

~ George Orwell


"Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are."

~ Theodore Roosevelt


"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

~ Helen Keller


"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring,
these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls
of oppression and resistance."

~ Robert Kennedy

Author: Jason Ray France

Only Love: A Life Lesson About Hatred


There is wisdom in all of us. Enjoy this fictional story based on real life experiences.


Glenda had a cheerful, friendly, and bubbly personality. Most everyone liked to be around her. She was usually so radiant that it lifted everyone's spirits. She also had a child like quality to her that made her even more lovable. She was a little on the plump side, but she always said that this made for extra comfy hugs. She had a couple of rough and tumble sons, but everyone knew that her little daughter, Sadie, was her prized jewel. There was only one person in town that Glenda didn't like, and she made no secret of it. He was mean, cheap, old Mr. Bains. She sold produce from her garden, and he never wanted to pay full price. She finally stopped doing business with him and told everyone else that she knew not to either.


There were often floods in the area, so no one was surprised when another alert went out. Nevertheless, Glenda decided that she had better close up her little roadside garden stand early and head on home. She was especially concerned because they had to cross a wash in order to get back to their side of town. Sadie was usually with her, because she hadn't started school yet, and this day was no different. When they approached the wash in their small truck, it was still dry and looked safe, so Glenda went ahead and ventured across. Mr. Bains always walked home from his job at the local post office. This is why he used to stop by Glenda's Garden Stand on the way. He had also left early due to the flood warnings, and was just coming up to the wash on the other side, while Glenda began to cross. They exchanged polite waves despite the recent tensions between them.


The quiet of this country day was abruptly disturbed by the sound of the rushing flood. Glenda saw the wall of water coming straight for them, and attempted to grab Sadie, who wasn't wearing a seat belt. It all happened too quickly, and Sadie was yanked away by the sudden surge. She ended up on the opposite side of the wash, holding to a low hanging tree branch with all of her might. Mr. Bains ran to Sadie's aid, while Glenda climbed to the top of the truck, now lodged in the middle of the raging wash. By now, several other people had gathered on both sides. Mr. Bains leaned over on the ground and reached over for Sadie, but he couldn't quite grab her. He could still save her, but she would need to reach out and take his hand.


Everyone was frantically yelling for Sadie to take his hand, including Glenda. Sadie just kept crying and shaking her head. " I can't," she whimpered, "Momma says to stay away from you!" Mr. Bains pleaded with her, hoping to convince her that it would be okay with Momma, but Sadie wanted to be a good girl. She had heard Momma telling everyone in town that he was a bad man that couldn't be trusted. She held on for everything that she was worth, but she was no match for the powerful current. It showed no mercy as it took her helpless little body and tossed it over the rocks, logs, and debris. Mr. Bains hung his head down and cried. Glenda called out Sadie"s name and screamed out in agony, asking God what He had done.


Lesson Summary: Judgement hurts everyone, but it always hurts the person making the judgements most of all. Hate is like a cancer that eats you up inside, while love is the only thing that can heal the hurting heart. Make a conscious choice to show love instead of breeding contempt.


Life Action: When you don't understand someone, show them some understanding anyway.*


*For more free inspiration, go to Sage Scrolls International at http://jasonrayfrance.webs.com/. Owner, Jason Ray France, is also the Host of the Sage Round Table, and Founder of The Sage Network. To manage his lifelong challenges with anxiety and depression, he specialized in Life Mastery. He teaches that there is wisdom in all of us and promotes a world of healing, openness, and inspiration.

Author: Louisa Mann

Random Acts of Kindness: Gifts from the Heart

It’s hard to see the beauty of the world and the gifts of nature it brings when you’re walking around with blinders. Of course we can’t blame you, because everywhere you look, all you see are discouraging signs of what the world has gone to. It’s enough to break your heart.

People have different ideas on what the world really needs. Some say we need new politics, others say a new way of life. Some say it’s a hopeless situation; others say there’s hope for the future. Some say change is hard to come by, and others say change is imminent.

Could it be a change of heart we need? Imagine all the gifts we’re missing out on, simply because the world is not living up to our expectations. But then again, maybe it is all these expectations we have from a world full of human beings that is getting in the way. If you are ready to give and receive presents from the heart while expecting nothing in return, then the personal change is happening within you.

Whoa, just a minute! Was that nothing in return? Sure, you deserve so much more as an individual than nothing in return, but they will come, all in good time. There are certain gifts which keep coming back to you, without your even knowing it, simply because you’ve chosen to do some random acts of kindness.

Random acts of kindness are spontaneous. They’re totally unexpected and simply waiting to happen. Out of the goodness in your heart, you just stop what you’re doing and decide to help someone out, even a complete stranger. You pick up your phone and send a friend a few lines of text or indulge in a rather long call. Without any occasion at all, you wrap surprise gifts for the people you love simply for the pleasure of it. Even before special occasions come, you automatically pick up thoughtful birthday greeting cards which suit the person you remember to the dot and buy funny anniversary greeting cards to make your special someone laugh out loud. You seize the moment and make it beautiful.

If you go with the flow, random acts of kindness are full of positive energy. If you want to be scientific about it, energy is neither lost nor gained but is transformed from one form to another. But since we’re being spontaneous about it, it’s easier to say that positive energy from random acts of kindness are never wasted because they are always passed on as something touching and contagious. You can be the spark. Just imagine the energy exchange which happens when families exchange gifts and greeting cards on Christmas.

Most of all, random acts of kindness are powerful. They bring out your capacity to love, the best and most beautiful part of your human nature. You see the extent to which you can be good. Their impact can be life-changing for you, and the ripples you send can be universal for the world.

It’s easier to see the beauty of the world and the gifts of nature it brings when you’ve personally experienced random acts of kindness. What more if you were to give it?

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-of-attraction-articles/random-acts-of-kindness-gifts-from-the-heart-1234706.html

About the Author:

Louisa Mann is a fan and is a practitioner of random acts of kindness. For more information on how you can change your part of the world with an inspirational Wish Card, go to http://www.wishcard.us.

By Jason Ray France - Sage Network
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Author: Jason Ray France

The Accountability Stone

The Accountability Stone has it's origin in the Middle Ages, when courageous Knights would attach river rocks to their swords as an emblem of their commitment to the truth. Beautiful Maidens wore them around their necks as a token of their virtue. It was a sign that signified to others that the person was noble and could be trusted. It was a silent indication that a Nobleman or woman took full responsibility for their choices and would never blame others for their mistakes. If such a person broke their word or spoke ill of others, the other villagers would not allow them to falsely carry the stone. Once they made amends, it was replaced again.

Find a stone that represents your commitment to be accountable for your choices. It is to be carried as a reminder that your choices matter and affect other people. The difference you make is up to you.

Personal Challenge: Make a commitment to be accountable for the choices that you make now and always.

Note: I created this story for my high school students as an Art/Graphic Art Teacher. I used it to assist me in teaching them personal accountability. It's one of the most important principles lacking in our society today, and it concerns me for the future.*

*For more free inspiration, go to Sage Scrolls International at http://jasonrayfrance.webs.com/. Owner, Jason Ray France, is also the Host of the Sage Round Table, and Founder of The Sage Network. To manage his lifelong challenges with anxiety and depression, he specialized in Life Mastery. He teaches that there is wisdom in all of us and promotes a world of healing, openness, and inspiration.

Author: Jason Ray France

Personal Accountability Life Guide:

How do I stop blaming others and take control of my life?

1) Grow up! You would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't have issues with their parents. Get over it! It's time to grow up and stop blaming them for your shortcomings! Granted, some issues are more serious than others, but the bottom line is that it's still not worth handing your power over to it.

2) Get real. Sometimes it seems easier to make up stories about why it is impossible for you to get any further in life. As long as you buy into these stories, you'll stay stuck right where you are. You'll find that reality doesn't look so bad once you face it. This is the only way that you'll truly comprehend what you're dealing with and how to best handle it.

3) Own your power. Quit playing the victim! If you don't like your circumstances, figure out how to change it. You can never blame others for where you are in life, but most especially when you are unwilling to take a stand for yourself and choose something different.

4) Be honest. Anyone that accepts your excuses isn't doing you any favors. People will respect you if you admit your mistakes and make a commitment to change it. You can't prevent something from happening if you refuse to recognize your control over it in the first place.

5) Take on your life. Once you've chosen to wake up and take a good long hard look at what you've created for yourself, it's time to take it on. You do this by mustering up your courage and going directly through it. Fear can be paralyzing, but only if you allow it to be.

6) Give yourself a break. You might feel that you should know better than to make some of the silly mistakes that you have. It's all part of the learning process. Don't waste time beating yourself up over it. A big part of being accountable is admitting that you don't have all the answers.

7) Pace yourself. If it all just seems too overwhelming, at least start in the right direction. Beauty isn't always found at the destination. It's sometimes discovered while getting there. Be patient with yourself and don't compare yourself to others. We are all a work in progress.

8) Let go of the ego. Your ego can often get in the way of progress. You may want to appear to have it all together and to be successful in everything that you do. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. That's what friends are for. There are many possible sources of assistance, such as medical professionals, therapists, life coaches, etc.

9) Take Action. If you see something that needs to be done or someone that needs your help, don't wait for someone else to do it. You'll probably be waiting for a very long time. As soon as you feel a prompting, act on it. Otherwise, you will lose an opportunity that could have brought learning and growth.

10) Love yourself enough. It takes courage, awareness, humility, and honesty to be accountable. It also takes loving and trusting yourself enough. Personal accountability results in having self respect and confidence. You will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are honest and trustworthy. These are rare and valuable qualities in today's world.

Pondering Personal Accountability:

1) Why can it sometimes seem difficult to be accountable?

2) Who are some good examples of personal accountability in my life?

3) What are some of the rewards that can come from being accountable?

Example of Personal Accountability: Dr. Phil Mcgraw is one of the best known teachers of personal accountability on the planet. As a matter of fact, he is so direct about it that he wasn't initially well received by the public. Oprah Winfrey met him while fighting cattle ranchers over her infamous beef remark and introduced him on her show. She believes so strongly in his principles that she decided to take a risk and produce a show for him. He has been sharing his no nonsense way of thinking with a national audience ever since. He has written several popular books on many aspects of life enhancement, including weight loss. While some have criticized his simplistic approach, his show continues to go strong and appears to have increased society's overall consciousness. He is the first to admit that his show is not a cure all and encourages ongoing treatment for those that need it.

Personal Accountability Quote: "When you get right down to the root meaning of the word "succeed", you find that it simply means to follow through." -F. W. Nichol

Personal Accountability Challenge: Be accountable by telling someone the truth when you are tempted not to.*

*For more free inspiration, go to Sage Scrolls International at http://jasonrayfrance.webs.com/. Owner, Jason Ray France, is also the Host of the Sage Round Table, and Founder of The Sage Network. To manage his lifelong challenges with anxiety and depression, he specialized in Life Mastery. He teaches that there is wisdom in all of us and promotes a world of healing, openness, and inspiration.

Top 40 Health Quotations
By Danielle Hollister

1. "Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year."
   -- Franklin P. Adams


2. "He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything."
   -- Arabian Proverb


3. "To get rich never risk your health. For it is the truth that health is the wealth of wealth."
   -- Richard Baker


4. "There's lots of people who spend so much time watching their health, they haven't got time to enjoy it."
   -- Josh Billings


5. "Health has its science, as well as disease. "
   --Elizabeth Blackwell


6. "Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. "
   --Erma Bombeck


7. "Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do practice? "
   --George Carlin


8. "The poorest man would not part with health for money, but the richest would gladly part with all their money for health. "
   --Charles Caleb Colton


9. "As I see it every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself."
   --Adelle Davis


10. "Preserving health by too severe a rule is a worrisome malady."
    --Francois de La Rochefoucauld


11. "You can set yourself up to be sick, or you can choose to stay well."
    -- Wayne Dyer


12. "Give me health and a day and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous."
    --Ralph Waldo Emerson


13. "The first wealth is health."
    -- Ralph Waldo Emerson


14. "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
    -- Benjamin Franklin


15. "Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."
    --Redd Foxx


16. "Health is not valued till sickness comes."
    --Dr. Thomas Fuller


17. "A Hospital is no place to be sick."
    --Samuel Goldwyn


18. "Health is not simply the absence of sickness."
    --Hannah Green


19. "Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything."
    --Thich Nhat Hanh


20. "A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses."
    --Hippocrates


21. "The groundwork of all happiness is health."
    -- Leigh Hunt


22. "The oneness of mind and body holds the secret of illness and health. "
    --Arnold Hutschnecker


23. "Health is worth more than learning."
    --Thomas Jefferson


24. "We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique."
    -- Benjamin Jowett


25. "One out of 4 people in this country is mentally imbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends-if they seem okay, then you're the one."
    --Ann Landers


26. "To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life."
    -- William Londen


27. "It's no longer a question of staying healthy. It's a question of finding a sickness you like."
    --Jackie Mason


28. "Quit worrying about your health. It'll go away."
    --Robert Orben


29. "What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease."
    --George Dennison Prentice


30. "The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results."
    -- Anthony Robbins


31. "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."
    -- Jim Rohn


32. "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."
    --Albert Schweitzer


33. "A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."
    -- Spanish Proverb


34. "People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy."
    -- Laurence Sterne


35. "Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and Spring. "
    --Henry David Thoreau


36. "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
    --Mark Twain


37. "The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
    --François Voltaire


38. "Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it."
    -- Unknown


39. "Time And health are two precious assets that we don't recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted."
    -- Denis Waitley


40. "Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of, a blessing money can't buy."
    --Izaak Walton

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Hollister
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-40-Health-Quotations&id=5266

7 Hot Tips For Self Improvement Part 2
By Beth Scott

Self Improvement Tip 4
Don't procrastinate! The more you put something off and something else off, the more all your undesirable chores pile up.

Until they become an insurmountable task that would make a paid cleaning crew shudder. In fact take these chores and work them into your schedule so you will be sure to do them.

Self Improvement Tip 5
If you don't already keep a schedule or make yourself a to-do list each night, this is your cue to start.

A to-do list helps you get things done because it gives you a urgent "must do this today" attitude.

It will also help you remember things that you might have otherwise forgotten. You can put things on them that you're afraid of forgetting, or want to make sure you make time for.

Self Improvement Tip 6
This is by far the most important self improvement tip I could give you. Forgive and Forget.

Either imagined or real slights should always be forgiven. To forget them is to not dwell on them and not remember the angry feelings if you ever look back on that moment.

Let me just tell you this: Holding a grudge will not hurt the begrudged as much as it will hurt you and your personality. As well as your existing relationships.

If there are any ancient or recent rifts or fights between you and a relative, friend, or spouse that are hurting your relationship or have ended it entirely, make amends.

This life is the only life you get, we'll never know when it'll be our or the begrudged person's time to die, and by then it will be too late to say "I'm Sorry".

So pick up the phone or walk up to that person and apologize, even if it wasn't your fault. This may be the last chance you'll get to make amends.

You will be surprised at the feeling you'll get after fixing things up between you. As if a burden has been lifted off your shoulders. This is definitely a step towards self improvement.

Self Improvement Tip 7
Do something kind for someone else. Today! Not just on a birthday or anniversary, but spontaneously.

Buy a rose or other flower for a friend and tell them it's just "because". Because they mean a lot to you, and because you care for them.

Tell your family and friends that you love them. Offer to help a friend with a chore. Babysit for someone you know so they can have a night out.

Help teach a young niece/nephew, son/daughter, brother/sister, etc.... how to read or do some other "grownup" thing.

The list of things you can do is endless, and I'm sure you can procure some ideas of your own on the subject.

Now for your convenience I've summed up all seven self improvement tips:

1. Get up early and jog or watch sunrise

2. Eat breakfast

3. Smile at strangers when you make eye contact

4. Don't procrastinate

5. Keep a schedule or To-Do list

6. Forgive others and Forgive past wrongs

7. Do something for someone else

Remember it's all up to you whether you take these steps in your self improvement plan, but improve it they will.

Be sure you read Part 1 of this article which contains the first 3 self improvement tips.

For more of Beth's expert advice visit her website now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Scott
http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Hot-Tips-For-Self-Improvement-Part-2&id=54169

7 Hot Tips for Self Improvement Part 1
By Beth Scott

Have you ever imagined that life could be a lot better and more fulfilling than yours is right now? Are you eager to learn a self improvement technique that will make it so?

If you are read on.

I am going to lay down 7 simple steps for your self improvement plan. Whether you implement the self improvement steps I give you is your decision alone.

Self Improvement Tip 1

This tip will seem quite obvious and simple to you, but you'll be amazed how few actually take the effort to do it.

Unless you're not a morning person this self improvement tip will drastically change the quality of your day towards the positive.

Setting you in a good mood to face the days challenges and adversities.

Get Up Early!

This may sound more like a way to ruin your day by putting you in an awful mood, but bear with me on this.

To be able to accomplish this and still avoid losing any any precious sleep. You can go to bed just a half hour earlier since to start with you only need to get up a half hour earlier than you usually do.

To aid this purpose you should definitely use an alarm clock with persistent beeping.

You may be wondering by now just what it is that you're supposed to do in this extra half hour when you would normally be dozing peacefully in bed and how this has anything to do with self improvement.

For different people the answer can vary slightly. To start with you need to fully awaken yourself and get rid of early morning sluggishness.

To suit this purpose you can take a cold or slightly cool shower. Or you might try doing stretches combined with deep breathing.

You might skip the shower if just splashing cold water on your face is sufficient to wake you. Use whatever works for you.

After you're completely alert step outside of your house, apartment, etc... And if it's early enough and you have a clear view, watch the sunrise.

This simple but immensely satisfying act will lift your spirits and help with self improvement. If you're unable to do this, take a brisk walk, jog or run depending upon what you prefer and what you're physically capable of.

When you've been out for 20 minutes you can head inside and commence with whatever morning ritual you normally have.

Self Improvement Tip 2

Now this is extremely important but deceitfully obvious. Eat Breakfast.

To start your day out on the right foot and stay in keeping with your self improvement plan this is practically a necessity. You need the energy this will provide you with to accomplish your daily tasks.

If you are overly pressed for time you might try cereal and milk or a few granola bars, even a few pieces of fresh fruit would do.

Any of these are better alternatives than skipping breakfast.

This is also a good suggestion for those watching their weight, because if you skip breakfast you're more likely to binge later in the day. And you certainly won’t be helping your self improvement by gaining
unwanted weight.

Self Improvement Tip 3

When you go places, even if you find it a bit difficult at first, smile more at other people. Just curve your lips up a bit as you make eye contact with another human being.

It's really that simple. This will not only lift your spirits as you see a good many people smile back, but it will lift other people's as well. Even the ones who are too shy to smile back.

Be sure to read Part 2 of this article which contains the last 4 tips on self improvement.

For more of Beth's expert advice Click Here to visit her website now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Scott
http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Hot-Tips-for-Self-Improvement-Part-1&id=1014