Spiritual

Earlier, while driving through town, I saw a picture of a horse on the side of a truck. It made me flash back to 7th grade. My mom took a group of my friends and me to a horse farm (no shortage of those in Kentucky). She knew the owners, so they saddled up their horses and gave 6 giggling girls the chance to ride like the wind. Or something like that.

While they were saddling the horses, and no doubt asking them to please not break their friend’s giggling daughter or any of her friends, the other girls and I pointed and picked out which horses we wanted to ride. Angela (who was more a friend of a friend than a friend - in fact, truth be told, she could have been an Amy, Andrea, or Annette - but I’m going with Angela) pointed to the same horse I had my eye on. Being a softy even at the age of 12, I convinced her that I wasn’t really pointing at the muscular horse who was so black he looked blue. No, no, I was pointing at the charming grayish, brownish, smallish, one behind him. Yeah, the one with about a gazillion flies around it.

I overheard someone telling Angela Amy Andrea Annette that her beast’s name was Magical just as I was being told the name of mine: Gomer. As in Pyle. If I’d been allowed to cuss, I’d have blistered fate with every word I’d ever heard my dad use.

That afternoon proved to be SO much fun. When we left, I nearly cried when I hugged Gomer and told him goodbye. He had the sweetest, most gentle disposition in the world and, in spite of his appearance, he actually left the rest in the dust. Even Magical. Even before I got behind the wheel of a car, speed was of the utmost importance to me. Several speeding tickets later, I guess it still is.

I guess the moral of this story would be this: We don’t always get what we want in life. Sometimes we’re “blessed” with problems that we’d just as soon not be “blessed” with. We almost never have all the things in life that we want, and the grass on the other side of the fence doesn’t always just look greener - sometimes it is!

We have two choices.

1.  We climb up in the saddle life’s prepared for us and ride it out.   We can hope for the best and deal with the rest.  Or…
2. We can stand around whining and complaining.  We can tell everyone within earshot that life just isn’t fair and that, By God, we deserve better than this!

Personally, I’m all for getting in the saddle.  You just never know when it’ll lead to one of the greatest rides ever.  Many opportunities actually come into our lives looking like Gomer the horse - flies and all. In the end, you realize you wouldn’t have had it any other way.

** The adorable print at the top of the post is from AllPosters.com - click the link or the horse, herself (himself?), for a closer look.

One of my daughters and I were having a good old fashioned gabfest recently. Somewhere between determining that we’d watch anything starring Will Smith and agreeing that gas prices were to blame for every ill known to man, we got around to relationships. We’re female, so it was inevitable, right?

In addition to Mr. Smith and ungodly fuel prices, we agreed on one thing: We pretty much train other people how to treat us. Very often, if someone’s treating us a certain way or behaving a certain way around us…we’ve set the whole thing in motion.

I once heard a girl having a huge fight with her boyfriend on the phone. She was screaming at him so loudly that she had to hold the phone away from her face to keep from blowing her own head up. She called him this, she called his mother that, she threatened to poison his dog (okay, I made the last one up but I was on a roll)… Then, suddenly, silence. She snapped the phone shut and said with a look of total stone cold shock, “He hung up on me.” Uh, yeah. Maybe he wasn’t such a this after all.

When it comes to relationships, have you ever found yourself thinking:

• People are always snapping at me
• People seem to avoid me
• No one talks to me until I talk to them first
• People take the things I say the wrong way
• Why is everyone so sensitive?
• No one listens to me!

If you recognize any of the above statements, I have bad news for you and I have good news for you.  Which do you want first?  The bad?   Okay, brave one.  You are the writer,  director, and leading star of your own life. You have created the character that is you.  People react to and treat you in the way you have conditioned or directed them to. 

It’s just you and the computer screen right now - I’m not even here right now.  I’m probably off cooking, rubbing a cat, talking with one of my daughters, or allowing my husband to buy me something.  It’s just you and the words I left behind.  Open up your mind and heart for a few minutes - they may just be the most important minutes you’ve spent in a long time.

• If people seem to snap at you, get ruffled easily, or take things you say the wrong way:   It’s now officially time to GET REAL.   Take a good, long look at how you treat others.  More likely than not, it’s probably with very little respect.  We all get so busy in our own little worlds that we sometimes forget to treat others as equal humans, which they most certainly are.  They aren’t annoyances, they aren’t here to serve us, and they aren’t obstacles.   They’re humans who happen to be as worthy of respect and kindness as we are.  What we put out there comes back at us in spades.  If you don’t like how you’re treat-ed, it’s time to start treat-ing differently. 
• If people seem to avoid you, again, there’s a reason behind it.  They don’t all meet every Wednesday at 2:00 for a seminar on avoiding you.  They avoid you because you bring something to the table they find unbearable.  The trick is to uncover what that thing is and bury it in your back yard!  Think about people who you, yourself, try to avoid.  WHY do you do so?  Are they always mad, always down in the dumps, or sarcastic?  Are they gossipers that revel in knocking everyone down a couple of notches?  Maybe they’re one note choirs - you know the kind who seem able to talk about only one thing.  I knew a guy once who only talked about cars.  That’s all he had. Yet he was easier to bear than the one I knew who only griped about money.  At least Car Boy was happy, talking about engines, Trans Ams, what’s its, and whatevers.  Money Man was a downer.  He never had enough money for this, he always needed more money for that…  The dude literally knew what every job in the county paid, how much everyone made, how much taxes were taken out of everyone’s checks, etc.  Yeah, I grew to hate him.  What’s more, I offered to pay him to just disappear. 
• How about this one:  People seem to take everything you say the wrong way.  Maybe you say everything the wrong way!  When you think you’re “requesting” something, maybe you’re actually barking an order.  If it has gotten to the point that you think everyone around you is overly sensitive and defensive - go ahead and get the mirror, you’ll find the guilty person inside waiting for you.  In your defense, it’s easy to get into a mode of being a drill sergeant.  When you work long hours and then have to take care of things at home as well - it’s easy to get into a habit of just ordering people around.  After all, your number one priority is “getting things done.”  Therein lies part of the problem.  Our relationships and the people in our lives are worth far more than any job, business, work, housework, lawn, or chores.   Pay close attention to the things you say to others.  Are you talking to them or at them?  Listen to the words - would you want anyone talking to you that way?
• Finally, if people don’t listen to you, they’re tuning you out.  Your words may be fast approaching the yadda yadda yadda stage.

Could you just get outraged or discouraged because others aren’t treating you the way you want them to?  Sure.  Could you yell at them, whine to them, or give them the cold shoulder.  Yes, yes, and yes.  Could you throw a pity party to end all pity parties?  Abso-freakin-lutely.   But, guess what, none of those are going to help you one little bit.  Whether it’s one particular person or an army of them - if you aren’t comfortable with how they treat you, start treating them differently.  Treat them the way you want them to treat you.  No, that’s not new advice.  It’s just the best advice.

Treat others with patience, respect, graciousness, tolerance, and love.  If, that is, you want any of that to come back your way. 

Test it!  Start immediately after finishing this post.  Let the very next words out of your mouth be kinder.  Treat your very next co-worker with a world of respect.  Act genuinely happy to see everyone you come in contact with.  Smile more, laugh more and, more importantly, make others smile and laugh.   Don’t let your conversations revolve around just one subject.  Show MORE interest in others and less interest in YOURSELF.   You get back what you put out - just remember that.

I promise you that you’ll notice a difference in your entire world. 

I was working on a post for my Recipe and Food Blog when I ran head first into a very inspirational fish.  Not the kind you cook or the kind you eat (although Cracker Barrel’s fried catfish sounds pretty amazing right about now).  This fish was on a page of Country Bob’s Website - the Meet our CEO page.

Actually, it isn’t the fish, itself, that’s inspirational.  It’s the story behind the fish.  I’ll quote the beautiful words on the site because I certainly couldn’t do any better:

Icthus - pronounced ‘ik-thuse’ - is from the Greek for fish. During the Roman Empire, it was prohibited to talk about Jesus without being put to death. The Christians began the practice of drawing the fish symbol in the sand as a way of safely identifying one to another. The word ‘icthus’ is an anagram, with each letter denoting ‘Jesus Christ, God”s Son, Savior.’

The beautiful story, as well as the rest of the words on this special “About” page really touched my heart.  We completely take our freedom of speech for granted.  We’re totally free to say what’s on our minds and in our hearts, yet we hesitate and often hold back.  What will he think….what will she think?  Most people - at leat the ones worth caring about - respect people who give their opinions openly. 

The ones who’d get mad and write you off for feeling a certain way aren’t worth worrying about.  Who would want such a closeminded person around anyway?!  The closeminded crowd are a lot of things but fun, uplifting, encouraging, inspiring are nowhere to be found in their bio.

I guess this post is simply to encourage everyone to be themselves.  Be who you are, not an imitation of somebody else.  If you believe, with all your heart, in something or someone, don’t whisper about it - shout it out loud.

Never let anyone make you feel like you can’t be you.  Take your stand and don’t ever give an inch to or for anyone.  If you’re a proud tree hugger, hug away.  If you want to save every animal on the planet, build your proverbial ark (I’ll see you in the supplies aisle!).  If you’re a Christian, never be shy about saying so!  In that vein, I’ve placed an Icthus graphic in the sidebar.  I’d love to see fellow believers draw their fish in the sand  by downloading the image and placing it on their own blog and website.

Whether it’s your belief in God, your political beliefs, your thoughts about conservation, your views on the economy, your stance on parenting, or even your favorite American Idol ( ahem, mine won last night ), own who you are and what you believe in.

Always stand up for your beliefs and never be afraid to let anyone see you standing.  If you stand, but quickly sit down the minute someone looks your way, you’d have been better off staying in bed…. with the covers of cowardice over your head.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.  - Henry Ford

Men and women who we we would quickly describe as ”great” and “heroic” didn’t earn those reputations while smoothly sailing through life.  My own heroes and heroines (Jesus, John the Baptist, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Helen Keller, Mother Teresa) certainly were unfamiliar with the calm seas of life. 

In fact, as they rode out the roughest seas imaginable, each would probably ask, “Calm seas? What’s a calm sea?”

Granted, when life’s tossing us to and fro, it’s hard to pause and appreciate the moment.  Yet, in reality, we very well could do just that.  Life’s trying moments and trials develop character and an inner strength that would, otherwise, be non-existent.  They keep us from becoming people who aren’t even worth knowing, let alone being.

If you feel as though you have not only your own share of trouble, but enough for three or four people - take comfort in this:  You have the opportunity to help yourself to more strength than most people will ever know.  If, that is, you take your rightful position.

What’s the rightful position?  Being on top of the trials rather than under them.  When we allow them to dictate our moods, how we spend our time, our outlook, our faith, and our relationships - we’re under their control.  They’re on top and they’re scarcely allowing us enough air to breath!

But if we take the upper hand and refuse to let them get us down, monopolize our time, shake our faith, or cause us to become bitter - we’re in control and can remain on top.  Since the view’s much better from that vantage point, it’s easily the option we should aim for.

The people who show up on lists of heroes and heroines had this view of the world and we’d do well to share it.

Before reviewing Dr. Kent M. Keith’s “Do It Anyway,” I wanted to remind you of his infamous Paradoxical Commandments. Written in the 1960’s, they are every bit as necessary and vital today as then. (Let’s hope that can be said for all of us from the Sixties!)

The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

I love that last line, Give the world the best you have anyway. Great stuff! If these Paradoxical Commandments affect you as strongly as they do most people, you’ll want to visit Paradoxical Commandments.com. In addition to a blog, you’ll find mugs, posters, books, clothing, a newsletter, and “sightings” of these world famous commandments.

Onto the book review!

I just finished reading Kent M. Keith’s book,  Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments.  This wonderfully beautiful and beautifully wonderful little book serves as a “companion” guide to The Paradoxical Commandments.  It features tools, exercises, and suggestions that the reader can use for personal introspection or group discussion.

The book acknowledges that yes, indeed, the world can be pretty crazy.  But that can’t stop us from doing and giving our best.  We’re the ones with the power - we can either allow circumstances to bring us to a complete stop or we can, in the author’s words, “Do it Anyway.”  This wonderful guide gives specific examples of how we can speed past the life’s tempting STOP signs - without ever looking back!

As the author stresses in Part One, we can’t control the “external world.”  The economy?  Gas Prices?  Political scandals?  Out of our control.  But we CAN control how we react to them.  We CAN make certain that we give our best in every situation and carve out as much happiness and peace for ourselves as possible.  The book challenges us with a series of questions about how we’re coping with the world around us.  It’s like therapy at the end of our arms!

If you are trapped in excuses, or a difficult past, or a difficult present, now is the time to break out.  The Paradoxical Commandments point the way.  Personal meaning and deep happiness are waiting for you. - Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments, Page 37

Part One also lists typical excuses and stumbling blocks that get in our way, then tells how to forge ahead and “Do It Anyway.”  I lost track of the times while reading that I thought, “Great advice!”

Part Two is a beautiful section because it introduces you to some beautiful people, people who are living the Paradoxical life.  Their stories are told, in their own words, about ways they used the Paradoxical Commandments to overcome ugliness, unfairness, and unpleasantness.  Each of the Paradoxical Commandments are dealt with, not simply in words, but in real life stories and emotions.

Along the way the reader is challenged with questions.  These questions bring us face to face with how we would handle, or how we do handle, similar situations.  We’re forced to see if we are living the Paradoxical Commandments and we’re shown where we may be failing if we aren’t.  One of my favorite stories was from the author, himself, as he talked about his grandparents.  He referred to his grandmother as someone who was easy to love but told how his grandfather was one of those people who was difficult to love.  Apparently the grandfather didn’t talk much and smiled and laughed even less.  The author, however, loved him anyway and was a better person for having done so.

If you live the Paradoxical Commandments, you will change the world.  You will love people, and do good, and succeed, and be honest and frank, and think big, and fight for the underdogs, and build, and help people, and give the world your best. - Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments, Page 139

You’re going to love what Part Three has on its mind:  Saving the World.  Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about! We’re encouraged to try and make a difference, for the better, in the world around us. The author emphasizes the importance of starting at home and work - then working your way out.

I love the checklist given on page 158.  The reader is presented with 5 powerful and challenging questions. Two of these are;

Am I satisfied with things as they are?  Why?  Why not?

AmI willing to be known and judged by the stand that I take?

The other 3?  Oh, you know the drill - buy the book and find out!

Part Four is a fascinating interview with the author.  This is a section that I desperately wish all books included.  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve read a book and thought, “I wish I could ask the author this or I wish I could ask the author that.”  Ironically, as I was reading the book, I didn’t realize the interview was waiting at the end.  Several times, while reading, I wondered what the author’s favorite commandment was and if he ever thought of adding to the ten.  I also wondered if he came up with the number 10 as a tribute to the 10 Commandments God presented to Moses.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that these answers (as well as others) were all in the back of the book waiting for me, as though they read my mind.  I was also very happy with the answers, themselves.

In summary, this is a book I’d very highly recommend.  I particularly love the way we’re challenged to make a difference in the world around us.  Of course, the only way to really be effective about such an endeavor is to, first, make a difference in ourselves - particularly in our thinking.   

Living with the Paradoxical Commandments will lead you to more peace and happiness than living without the Paradoxical Commandments.  This guide will….well, guide you.  Every beautiful step of the way.

“And all things whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Matthew 21:22

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Pray and let God worry.” - Martin Luther

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” - Dorothy Bernard

“Most people do not pray, they only beg.” - George Bernard Shaw

“Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.”  - Mahatma Ghandi

“Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.” - Mahatma Ghandi

See the handsome little man above?  His name’s Theoneste and I love that little face now as much as I did when I first saw it on January 2nd.  Isn’t he a doll? Look at his little shoulders?

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to do more for those who can’t do more for themselves. My heart has a particular heaviness for children who are in need, so I spent New Year’s Day researching children’s charities and organizations.  After doing my homework, I decided that World Vision was perfect.  My family is sponsoring the little angel above (Theoneste).  We got our “welcome kit” yesterday with pictures, a magnet, a cd, and lots of fascinating information.  There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll be sponsoring more children or even a family. 

Please don’t think I’m bragging - I have no reason to brag, whatsoever.  It was foolish of me not to have done this years ago.  If I had started sponsoring children, say 10 years ago - how much good could have already been done?   I can’t even think about that - it makes me uncomfortable in my skin.  I also don’t want to mentally calculate the money I spend on exotic coffees and teas, only to realize the impact that same amount of money could have on someone else’s life.

As we sit in our comfortable homes, with our computers in front of us, a stocked refrigerator at our disposal, clean water when we need it, and more clothes than we’ll ever need - there are people in the world who must think we live like kings and queens.  Yet we complain if our sofa isn’t new or we have to get a new microwave. 

Having Theoneste’s precious face looking down at me from the bulletin board in the kitchen does more than just keep my thoughts in perspective. It reminds me that we’re all under God’s loving eye and that we should look after one another.  Children are a gift from God, whether they’re the children in the next room (currently playing her music way too loud!), or the children in a village in Rwanda.  As adults, shouldn’t we do everything in our power to improve the lives of these little ones?

I would urge you to visit World Vision.org or a similar organization, but I have a feeling you’re already headed in that direction.  If that’s the case, you’re about to begin an adventure that’ll touch your life as deeply as it does the child on the other end.

Jesus said, “…whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” - Matthew 18:5 (NIV)

Angelina Jolie, deservedly, topped Reuters’ 2007 Humanitarian poll for both her work as a U.N. goodwill ambassador and for raising awareness of suffering in Africa.

What exactly does that have to do with anything?

Just this:  Several years ago (when she was in the news for vials of blood, kissing her brother, etc…) the sentence above would have made a pretty good joke in Jay Leno’s monologue.  Angelina Jolie…humanitarian?  Ha ha ha. 

But, she turned her life so completely around that, now, when you hear the name, your first thoughts are of her being a wonderful mother and a serious actress. You also think of her as being very active in the causes she believes in.  You think of her generosity overseas as well as at home in the aftermath of Katrina.  You also, of course, think of her dinner companion, breakfast companian, and lunch companian - Mr. Pitt.

If Self Help Daily gave “Person of the Year” awards, she would also top its list. I have nothing but respect for anyone who looks out their window, sees suffering and injustice, and goes outside to do something about it.  It’s so much easier to just close the blinds.

I’m in awe of the work both Angelina and Brad do, but I’m even more in awe of the way she turned her life around and pulled her name up out of the gutter.  Amazing.

It’s proof to all of us that anything’s possible.  One of my favorite sayings has always been, You aren’t known for what you did - you’re known for what you do.  You can erase yesterday’s mistakes with tomorrow, but you have to make your mind up today to do so.

Once you have a firm determination to do so - encourage yourself with the mantra Make It Happen.  It’ll serve as a reminder that:

1. You CAN make it happen.
2. Only YOU can make it happen.

It does, of course, take more than a strong resolve to get there from here. We have to set ourselves up to succeed rather than to fail.  The key factor in the success or failure of most New Year’s resolutions lies, not between January  to December, but on New Year’s Eve.  You can pretty much tell THEN if your resolutions will be a failure or a success.

How?  By answering one question - “What am I doing to make my resolutions happen?“  If your answer is, “I’m writing them down,” you’ve set yourself up to….more likely than not…have to write the same resolution again next year.  And the next.  And the next.  (I’ve been there!)

So, what is the secret to making the Resolutions actually stick?  Glue! Writing resolutions down isn’t glue - it’s just words.  The only way to turn the words into reality is to provide yourself with the tools to make it happen.  Think about it, the reason we keep writing the same resolutions down year after year is we never set ourselves up for success.

For example…

• If one of our resolutions is to be more organized, yet the only thing we ever do to make it happen is to write the words, “Be more organized” - we aren’t making it happen, we’re wishing it would happen.  But if we invest in a file cabinet, more shelves, a desk calendar, and maybe even a day planner - we’ve given ourselves the tools we’ll need to make it happen.
• How about losing weight? If we don’t do something proactive to make it happen, it’ll never be anything but a lovely dream with a trim waist and firm arms.  But if we invest in a gym membership, an exercise machine, a subscription to Prevention, or some great exercise DVDs, we’ve given ourselves the tools we need to make it happen.
• If we want to eat more healthy foods, we have to outsmart ourselves at the grocery store.  If we go when we’re fairly full, we’ll be more apt to buy healthy foods - to the tune of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains…  Also, falling in love with Subway is another great tool. I promise, a healthy sub and a bag of apple slices will give you more energy for the rest of the day than any other lunch could ever hope to.  Sometimes, doing a little research (not only finding what foods are good and what foods are bad, but finding WHY their good or bad) can be a perfect motivator.
• For the infamous resolution to keep your home or closet neater, investing in special crates, shelves, and closet organizers can turn the words into reality.  Also, we should all go through our things and haul off anything and everything we don’t absolutely love.  We’ll be doing a good deed and tidying up at the same time.
• Speaking of good deeds, if becomming more active is a goal - and I give you a cyber pat on the back if it is - doing a little research into various charities and causes will help steer you in the right direction.  Going through and writing reminders to ”support” your cause on your desk calendar (you know the one that’ll organize your 2008) on certain days of the month will help keep you honest.
• If you have a tendency to speed, begin getting ready and leaving at least 10 minutes earlier.  Then, there’ll be no need to hurry.  In fact, you’ll probably end up driving slower to kill more time. 
• If you’re one of the many who want to start reading more, place books (whether it’s the Bible, historical non-fiction, or novels) in strategic positions:  Near your favorite seat in the living room or den, in the bathroom, by your bedside.  If they’re on the shelf all day, that’s probably where they’ll stay until the next day.
• If you want to learn a new language - go out and buy cassettes and cds that’ll help you.

Basically, whatever it is you want to accomplish, make it easier on yourself.  Give yourself the tools you need to make it happen!

I mean this from the bottom of my heart - I hope that every day of 2008 is more than you dreamed it would be.  I hope that you live well, love much, and laugh often.  You can do anything you set your mind to and you can be anyone you want.  Peace, happiness, and joy! - Joi

I’m about to become one with my kitchen, so the computer and I will be estranged for a few days. I wanted to wish you the merriest of Christmases before heading off to the kitchen, though.

Enjoy every single moment with your family, remember you’re making memories that will last forever…not just for you, but for everyone you love as well.  Smile and laugh till it hurts, eat till the cook blushes, and love everyone unconditionally. Treat each present as though it’s exactly what you’d always hoped for and live life like it was meant to be lived.

Most of all, be sure to thank God for the greatest Gift ever given and the sweetest Love ever shown!

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones - and I’ll see you on the 26th!

Joi

You never know where the next really great idea will come from.  It might even come from you or me!  On second thought, it probably won’t come from me since my brain is incapable of two thought trains at once and the Christmas Express is occupying my thoughts right now.  If you could look inside my mind…though I’m really not sure anyone would want to…it’d be covered with candy canes, snowmen, lights (blinking, of course), gift wrap, and cookies.

So, yeah, if anyone’s going to wax brilliant, it’ll have to be you.  Check back with me sometime in January.

In between baking, decorating, wrapping, and shopping, I’ve been reading a lot about inventions and life-changing ideas lately. I enjoy spending time learning about people who think (or thought) outside of the box. There’s nothing quite as exciting as the human mind at work - not even a sale at JCPenney. Welllll…

The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas. - Earl Nightingale

• In 1937, Sylan Goldman, owner of two supermarket chains, noticed that customers rarely bought more groceries than they could carry in their arms.  So an idea came to him - help the customer, as well as himself, by designing a basket on four wheels.  The shopping cart was born and now we can’t even imagine stores without them.  That reminds me, I need walnuts.
• Q-tips were invented by Leo Gerstenzang when he watched his wife cleaning their baby’s ears with toothpicks and cotton.
• Ralph Schneider decided to form Diner’s Club one evening after he lost his wallet.
• Ole Evinrude helplessly watched his ice cream melt as he carried it in a rowboat to an island picnic.  The frustrating (and messy) event led him to invent the outboard motor.

A new idea is delicate.  It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow. - Charles Brower

I’ve saved my favorite master of ideas for last.  What makes George Washington Carver so remarkable is the fact that, as a black man living in the late 1800s and early 1900s - he probably saw more yawns than a bedtime story.  But he never let doubters or their sneers or snips get in the way.  Thankfully, he just kept on keeping on. As a result, we have the adhesives, axle grease, bleach, buttermilk, chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, instant coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic, pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish, synthetic rubber, talcum powder, wood stain, and peanut butter that we know and love today.

Mr. Carver also developed a crop rotation method that blew the lid off of southern agriculture.  He, singlehandedly, changed the south from being a one-crop land (cotton) to a multi-crop powerhouse.

Most remarkably, he didn’t profit from his inventions.  To continue his research, he even turned away from a $100,000 a year salary.  That’s almost a million dollars today!

About his ideas, George Washington Carver said, “God gave them to me.  How can I sell them to someone else?”

An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied. - Arnold H. Glasgow 

[ More Quotes about Ideas ]