Copyright 2006 Michael A. Verdicchio
Who is success really for? Are there certain people who just have a knack for success? Are there others who are just destined for success?
Is it available for anyone and everyone to be successful? Or is it only for the privileged few? What about you?
Will you succeed or will you fail? We all know that there are people who succeed in life and there are people who fail; this has been true for centuries. There are a lot of people who believe that some are destined to fail while others are destined to succeed.
So what about you? Which category are you in? Are you destined to succeed or are you destined to fail? How can you tell?
There is someone that you can ask who will tell you which category you are in. In fact, they can tell you with complete confidence and precise accuracy whether you will succeed or whether you will fail. That person just happens to be the absolute authority on the subject. I highly suggest that you ask and find out so that you will know whether you are destined for success or failure. After all, that would be some pretty important information to find out…wouldn't it?
Knowing this would certainly help you in the decisions that you make. It would give you a clear picture of your future. You would know, with certainty, exactly what to expect and what not to expect.
For example, if that person told you that you were destined to fail, you would know to not take any chances on anything – you'd stand no chance of success. You would know that you should spend as little money as possible and hoard every dime you make, because hard times are quickly approaching. You would be well advised that there would be no opportunities coming your way – after all, those are only for those who succeed.
On the other hand, if that person told you that you were destined for success, you would know that taking a chance would likely result in a positive outcome. You would harbor no fear of losing your money, because you would know that your earnings would continue to increase. You would probably be very excited every day knowing that great opportunities were coming your way!
Having concrete knowledge of being either a success or a failure will also certainly help to direct your attitude concerning life in general. If that person informs you that you will be a failure, then you will know to carry a failure attitude and talk of all the negatives of life. On the other hand, if you discover that you are going to be a success, you can go around positive and happy, expecting one great day after another – after all, you are destined for success!
So, my advice is to ask this person who absolutely knows which it is: whether you are destined to be a failure or a success. Find out today in which direction you are headed. You really need to know and not guess. Don't wait!
The person to ask, of course, is you! Yes - you. Your mindset, what you truly believe about yourself determines your course and destination of success or failure. When you look in the mirror, do you see a failure? Do you see someone mediocre? Do you see a very successful person? Who do you see? What do you really believe about that person who is looking back at you?
The answer to that question holds the key to the path that you have chosen. All your current circumstances and past experiences do not determine your path – you do. If you don't see a successful person staring back at you in the mirror, but you want to - really want to - then here's the great part: you can change!
Who you really believe you are is your belief system, your mindset that you have built. However, it is possible to build a new one, one thought at a time. You must tell yourself over and over who it is you really desire to be. The person you are today is a result of your input. Change your belief system by consciously changing your input, one thought at a time, day by day.
Contrary to what so many believe, when it comes to success or failure, everyone makes their own decision.
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Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael is the author and producer of "Inspirational Pep Talks", available at http://www.InspirationalPepTalks.com He is also the author of the book, "Healing from God is Available". He has produced other motivation and inspirational items, including the audio CD, "Healing Words", available at http://www.ChristianInspirationalGifts.com . He is the voice for the current series, "Stories for Joshua."
What Is Your Destiny
Ever think about destiny ?
Even if you don't believe in manifest destiny
for your country, what about your own?
A lot of people think our destiny its pre ordained.
Fate - destiny - dealt the cards and we have to live with
them!
Kiss fate and live with it.
Terrible!
I mean, to go through life believing you can't make any
real difference - in anything. That you have no choice, no
matter what you do the results will be the same. It's kind
of like living in the middle ages when, if you were born a
peasant or a serf you would die a serf no matter how hard
you worked or how good you got to be at whatever you did.
Or if you were born a noble you would die a noble - no
matter how lazy or incompetent you were, no matter bad
you might be at what ever you did.
We no longer live in that kind of world!
People who stand out from the crowd have always said that
with purpose in our lives we can accomplish great things.
I have to believe:
I can make a difference.
My life can have purpose.
I can decide on that purpose and make it happen.
You're reading this article so I know we're on the same
page here!
Some pretty fantastic people have given us some great tips
on how to be in control of our own destiny. They can provide
motivation inspiration.
"If you want to achieve excellence you can get there today!
As of this second, quit doing less than excellent stuff!"
Thomas Watson - Founder of IBM
Pretty simple stuff huh!
I have also discovered that successful people have a
secret!
They know where they're going, how they're going to get
there...and when!
Because they considered their options and constraints in
decision making, then decided where and when to go!
See folks, you can either follow someone else's plan or
follow your own.
It just takes determination, time, and effort.
You also need to realize, if your goals are small, your
achievements will be small.
Do you know anyone who is truly motivated by the
opportunity to make a minuscule impact?
"Small goals are the illegitimate parents of
procrastination." Len McNally (I snuck that in!)
"Whether you think you can or whether you think you
can't.....you're right!" Henry Ford
So decide where you want to go, what you need to do to get
there.
And
JUST DO IT! DO IT NOW!
Len McNally
Early in 2006 Len McNally's book Acres of Diamonds Revisited was published by Authorhouse. As a follow up Len's new ezine Acres of Diamonds Revisited will continue on many years of coaching, motivating, and mentoring people to become everything nature intended them to be. For additional information or to subscribe to Acres of Diamonds Revisited - the ezine - go to
http://www.acresofdiamondsrevisited.com
Enchanting Elementals
Copyright 2006 Rob Daniels
Before scientists conceived of the periodic table, with its 116 elements, scientists taught that the earth and everything therein was made of four basic elements: water, air, fire and earth. Paracelsus, a fifteenth century alchemist, took the idea one step further, theorizing that each element was composed of nature spirits called elementals. These creatures, made of unique ethereal substances, could live only in the element to which they were born. As the guardians of all nature, they lived and acted as humans, although they had no souls.
Throughout the centuries following many hundreds of stories, referred to as fairy tales, have been spun about the elementals and their interactions with mankind. It is said that within these stories there may be nuggets of truth. To this day there are those among the fanciful and faithful still calling upon the elementals and benefiting from their help.
Undines are the elementals associated with water. Frequently found in forest pools and waterfalls, these beings are described as sensual and lovely with beautiful voices. Intuitive and empathetic, undines have long memories, for water holds memory. Their activity is responsible for the vitality in all liquids, including that which exists within plants, animals, and humans. Therefore, undines have great healing power. It is said that when one cries he or she taps into the energy of the undines. If allowed, their influence can overwhelm, or drown, a human, leaving them "all washed out." Undines are also recognized as mermaids, naiads, oceanids, sea maidens, and water sprites.
Spirits of air are called sylphs, and these creatures are said to live in the space between dimensions. Theirs is the voice heard as a sigh on a breeze, or a hiss through a cornfield. They rustle tree leaves with their whispers and lash great oceans with their shrieks. Their activity is reflected in the gathering of clouds, the formation of snowflakes, and the growth and maturity of all plant life. Sylphs are credited for inspiring poets and artists, and reportedly can be contacted through meditation and conscious mind travel. Once their power is tapped, they deliver revalations and epiphanies. If seekers are not balanced, the energy of the sylph can be intoxicating, leaving them paranoid or insane. Sylphs can be associated with winged angels or cherubs.
In the flame of the hottest fires live the salamanders. These fire spirits are lizard-like and have association with dragons. Passionate, creative, and temperamental, salamanders demand immediate action, for unlike undines, they have little to no memory. Their essence enlivens one's sexual drive. When their intense energy is taken to excess it may be said the individual feels "burnt out." The terms "hot-headed" and "cold-blooded" also refers to the energy of the salamander, as he is the controller of body temperature. Someone with a "fiery temper" may be under the influence of a salamander.
Gnomes may be the best-known of all nature spirits. Indeed, Paracelsus said these were the most important of all elementals. These diminutive earth spirits wear red conical hats and live deep within the earth. It is said they move as easily through the earth as humans walk upon it. Their activity is present in all geologic formations, such as mineral deposits, crystal formations, and erosion of rock. Gnomes appear in hundreds of stories as protectors of secret treasures and knowledge, and though they first appear grumpy and mean, if won over, they can become the most loyal and helpful of friends. However, if betrayed, gnomes are known to wreak havoc on one's life. Some traditions say that gnomes actually spend the daytime as toads, as the sun's rays will turn them into stone. Gnomes are generally pictured as wizened old men in green, blue, and red clothing, but they are of the same essence as sprites, goblins, dwarves, brownies, dryads, elves, and satyrs.
Mischievous and magical, alluring and exciting, the elementals and their stories will doubtless continue to enchant, inspire, and affect humanity as they have for thousands of years.
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About the Author:
This article was written by Robin Daniels. Robin is a mystic and contributes to Mystical Creatures http://www.mystical-creatures.com and Fantasy Gifts http://www.fantasy-gifts.net .
