A Poem in Loving Memory of Sandy Brook Children

Photo Credits: Tim Tebow's twitter

GOODBYE FOR NOW

Oh, precious little ones!

How can we say goodbye?

The thought of never seeing you

Bring waves and waves of pain

How can we live like this?

When we will miss everything

Your innocent smile and energy

Even the naughty glint of your eyes

Who would have thought?

That fateful day was the last

Never again to hear your voice

And kiss you goodbye for school

No more birthdays to celebrate

Or grad ceremonies to attend
Not even a wedding to witness

You were a blessing 

A bundle of joy to behold

You taught us to live and love

How did we deserve such a gift?

If we can steal a day from death

Or even an hour will do

We will hug you one last time

And tell you, "We love you so!"

God wants you by His side

So we'll say goodbye for now

Go on and soar towards heaven

Where everything's happy and beautiful

No demanding moms nor angry dads

One day we'll be together again

Today, we live with your memories

We will miss you everyday.

We will love you forever.

How to: Develop Self Confidence by Napoleon Hill

Photo Credits: http://talknerdy2me.org 

Numerous self-help authors, motivational speakers and a plethora of books would tell us that self confidence is a key element in the formula of success. In fact, self confidence is normally where the journey to dream fulfillment starts. Besides creating lofty dreams, one needs to believe in one's self in order to make things happen.

Some people are blessed to grow up in an environment that breeds a healthy self-image. Unfortunately, most of us, I believe, grew up unsure of our capabilities and potential because of demeaning words spoken to us when we were younger by our parents, friends and other people. We are living in a negative world where it is very difficult to be optimistic. We are surrounded with people that are hell bent on pulling us down.

But if we truly and badly want to be successful in this lifetime, we need to develop the virtue of self reliance. We need to bank on our strengths, abilities and character to turn our dreams into realities. Before we can even start, we need self confidence.

Here are 7 declarations that we can take advantage to nurture and develop our belief in ourselves. Say it out loud and declare it everyday. It will make a world of difference.

The 7 Steps to Self Confidence by Napoleon Hill:

1

"I know that I have the ability to accomplish all that I undertake. I know that to succeed, I have only to establish this belief in myself and follow it with vigorous, aggressive action. I will establish it." 

2

"I realize that my thoughts eventually reproduce themselves in material form and substance and become real in the physical state. Therefore, I will concentrate upon the daily task of thinking of the person that I intend to be and of drawing a mental picture of this person and of transforming this picture into reality."

3

"I am studying with the firm intention of mastering the fundamental principles through which I may attract to me the desirable things of life. Through this study, I am becoming more self-reliant and more cheerful. I am developing more sympathy for my fellow man, and I am becoming stranger, both mentally and physically. I am learning to smile that smile that plays upon the heart as well as on the lips."

4

"I am mastering and overpowering the habit of starting something that I do not finish. From this time forward, I will first plan all that I wish to do, making a clear mental picture of it, and then I will let nothing interfere with my plans until I have developed them into realities."  

5

"I have clearly mapped out and planned the work that I intend to follow for the ensuing five years. I have set a price upon my services for each of the five years, a price that I intend to command through strict application of the principle of efficient, satisfying service!" 

6

"I fully realize that genuine success will come only through strict application of he "Golden Rule" principles. I will, therefore, engage in no transaction which does not benefit alike all who participate in it. I will succeed by attracting to me the forces that I wish to use. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve them. I will gain the friendship of my fellow men because of my kindness and my willingness to be a friend. I will eliminate from my mind fear by developing faith. I will eliminate hatred and cynicism by developing love for humanity."

7

"I will learn to stand upon my feet and express myself in clear, concise, and simply language, and to speak with force and enthusiasm, in a matter that will carry conviction. I will cause others to become interested in me, because I will first become interested in them. I will eliminate selfishness and develop in its place the spirit of service." 

How to be a “Dragon Warrior”

By Divine Grace R. Segunla



Have you seen the movie Kung Fu Panda? I’ve seen it several times and I’m not over it yet. I just love the movie like crazy. I adore Po, the big fat panda, who’s always dreamed to become a kung fu warrior only to wake up everyday of his life with an apron around his waist and in the kitchen. He cooks the best noodle soup (next to his father) in the valley and he hates it. Deep down inside, Po knew he was meant to do something more. Po is ‘The Dragon Warrior’ the only one that can bring peace to the valley and master Shifu.

Po? The big fat panda is the dragon warrior? No way! He doesn’t even know anything about kung fu. He’s fat and he stinks. He’s nosy. He’s too loud. He’s disgusting (sometimes). He eats (too much) when he’s upset. He couldn’t be the dragon warrior. Surely, there has been some mistake.

But he is the dragon warrior.

Po may not have what it takes to be a dragon warrior but he was chosen because he was meant to be the dragon warrior. You may not have the resources, you’re too young or too old, you can’t speak well and you’re not talented enough to do great things in your lifetime.

You might have been in that road before. I’ve been there several times. I know deep down inside me I’m meant to do something more. I just can’t be the ordinary province girl who just wants to finish her studies and help her family afterwards. I know there is something more to life than that. I want to be the ‘dragon warrior.’ I want to help other people. I want to travel around the world. I want to be a successful entrepreneur. I want to live life to the fullest.

Here are some things I learned from the movie on how to live the life we are made for (becoming a dragon warrior):

1. Dream
It all starts in a dream. When you dream, do not ever limit yourself. That’s why it’s called a dream. It’s for free. You can dream as big and as grand as you can. Po didn’t just dream of becoming a kung fu warrior, he dreamed of becoming the best kung fu warrior.

2. Never Give up
A true dragon warrior never gives up. If you want to fulfill all your dreams in life, you better not include give up, quit, and can’t do it in your vocabulary. It should not and never be an option for you and me.

3. Training
You need a mentor. You cannot do it and learn everything on your own. Find someone whom you trust and who believes in you to teach you everything you need to know about failure, success and life. In order to be the best in what you can do, you need to be trained, coached and mentored. Po has Shifu as his master. I have Jesus as my master. It’s time you find yourself one.

4. Believe
“To believe something is special, you just need to believe it’s special.” That’s what Po’s dad told him that ultimately led to Po’s fulfillment of his dream and call as the dragon warrior. There is no special ingredient to the best noodle soup in the valley. In the same way, there is no special ingredient for us to succeed in life. We just need to believe. Believe in your master and believe in yourself.

For us to fulfill our destinies in life does not depend on what we have or on what we can do. It depends on who we are and what’s inside us.