Words from my book Seize the Day: A Mindful Guide to Fuller Living that challenge us to live life to the fullest it can be.
Excellence is never an accident.
It is always the result of high intention,
sincere effort and intelligent execution;
it represents the wise choice
of many alternatives – choice,
not chance, determines your destiny.
Aristotle
By knowing one reaches belief.
By doing one gains conviction.
When you know, dare.
Egyptian proverb
Two men look out through the same bars;
one sees the mud and one sees the stars.
Frederick Longbridge
Lift your eyes to the stars,
and dream your dreams.
Raise your sights to the mountaintops,
and make your plans.
Believe in yourself, and aim high,
and let no ridicule or carping criticism lessen your resolve.
Understand your limitations, certainly,
and heed well-intentioned advice,
for no one can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
But what you know you can achieve,
hold fast to it;
strive to make it happen,
no matter the objections that doubting Thomases put in your way.
And should you meet with failure,
shrug it aside
and start again.
Should you fall flat on your face,
pick yourself up
and stride once more into the breach.
What some say you can’t do,
show that you can.
What some dismiss as fantasy,
bring to fruition.
Do not let your hopes wither on the vine,
your talents go to waste.
Believe in yourself,
though others question.
Have faith in your future,
though all around deny it.
Know yourself –
your abilities,
your gifts,
your potential –
and be everything you were created to be.