Success and Determination Go Hand in Hand

While ramping up a new crop of tasty reviews for everyone, I am taking a step back for a bit to talk about some of my own home projects or other things I think might be of interest. It has been a while since a good motivational video has moved me here at GLR but this one shared by a friend in Facebook really made me sit up and take notice.

As we all persevere through our lives it is important to remember that there is no such thing as failure, only experiences toward new opportunities. The people featured in this video were and are amazing individuals, but just like they rest of us they had their share of life’s ups and downs along their way to glory.

Enjoy life knowing that every day is an adventure and never give up on living out what you dream!

Beauty through the Rain, Mother Nature Shares the Sweetest Gifts

A few weeks ago on the way to our Bennetts Brook Green Group meeting the sun was just setting but the sky was also doing the spring rain in New England quick burst downpour. As soon as we got off the highway my eyes opened wide and my jaw even more so when we rounded a corner to see this sky. It was so beautiful we pulled into a parking lot simply to snap a few photos.

Just three weeks later it was yet again pouring, providing sustenance to all the thriving greenery and incredibly tall lawns. As I sat in my office typing up a post with the slider door open, listening to the shower, it suddenly occurred to me that the sun was streaming in through the window. With fingers crossed I grabbed the camera and stepped out on the balcony to see this beautiful gem emblazoned across the sky.

Whenever I am sad about something such as the extreme impact we are imparting on our planet with all of our many luxuries, this is just the thing to remind me that sometimes all it takes is an outlook in an upward direction to change my attitude. Beauty-full!

Happiest Places in America

Coastal locations in the United States have been hit hard by the current state of the economy so where should one be living to be the most financially secure, happy? Well, a good place to start is Nebraska.

Unfortunately I could not locate a place where this video was available to embed so please check it out on:

ABC News -- Happiest Place in America

Monday Inspiration on a Grey Day

It is a gloomy and rainy Monday here in the Boston area which has had me thinking a lot about that old saying:

“April showers bring May flowers”

While pondering the fact that the sun may not make an appearance until the bright and beautiful colors of those spring flowers pop out, I wanted to maintain a happy mood, so I went looking around for some inspiring words of wisdom that would keep my spirits lifted. The following three really hit me and I hope they bring joy to you as well, no matter what kind of weather comes your way today.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.”
~ Charles Swindoll

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~ Mark Twain

“I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
~ Michael Jordan

The Muppets Sing Coldplay

This morning I found out my bloggy friend Kate named one of her fish Beaker and I started thinking of how much fun the Muppets were as a kid. There was nothing quite like taking off for a world of fantasy and fun where creatures of all types lived together and enjoyed each other’s company. Turns out we do not have to be kids to enjoy the fun of these furry and talented creatures. I think Beaker does a fine job of singing the song Yellow by Coldplay. Hope this video brings a little joy to your day!

The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People

A good friend of mine gave me a hardcover copy of this book by David Niven, Ph. D. a bunch of years ago when I was leaving a job and setting off on a brand new adventure. She is one of the most positive people I know and this gift meant so much to me that although I have given many things away over the years this book has remained planted on my shelf and referred to often. It is a quick read and so uplifting. I would like to share ten of these secrets now and strongly encourage everyone to purchase this book right away for a good dose of happiness to the soul!

☼ Cultivate friendships.

☼ If you’re not sure, guess positively.

☼ Pay attention. You may have what you want.

☼ Volunteer.

☼ Make your work a calling.

☼ Get a good night’s sleep.

☼ Keep a pen and paper handy.

☼ Don’t ignore one part of your life.

☼ Give yourself time to adapt to change.

☼ Have a purpose.

Within each of these headers are a couple of corresponding pages with suggestions for ways to complete them, stories of people who have fulfilled them or quotes from people that relate to them. It also does not hurt that scattered all throughout the book are a whole bunch of smiley faces ☺☺☺ encouraging feelings of joy.

I hope you all have a happy day!

Two Great Men

Today is the day in the United States when we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who, despite the odds being stacked against him, stood up and voiced the hopes and desires of an entire generation of Americans for equal rights, freedom and a better life. Although he was primarily speaking for a race of people, his visions of equality are applicable to anyone shunned by the masses of society and his powerful words hold much weight in the hearts of many, myself included. His enormous spirit lives on even forty years after his assassination.

Strides in equality and freedom have been achieved for many groups in this country but tomorrow, for the first time in our nation’s history, a man will accept the title of President of the United States who truly embodies the vision of equality that MLK spoke of. President Elect Barack Obama is the visionary for an entirely new generation and as he takes his rightful seat in the White House tomorrow I will be sending out positive thoughts of peace, hope, love and equality all across the world.

Pay special attention to the woman at about 2:15 and her accurate statement. Here’s to the hope of a country truly United reaching across the entire planet.

Smiling Faces

This is really cool to watch the face come to life in front of our eyes. Hope it makes you smile as big as the face on the page.

Fun to End the Weekend

When we have a healthy attitude towards life, we uncover the beauty, wonder and inspiration within us that enables us to really appreciate those same qualities outside in the world.
-Craig Nicholson