My Interview with Judge Edward Butler about the Sons of the American Revolution

This past Sunday, retired judge Edward F. Butler, Sr., the current President General of the organization, Sons of the American Revolution, was my guest on my weekly radio broadcast. We talked specifically about the group's programs for youth. SAR provides a number of scholarships and awards for teachers and young people, with a goal of encouraging the young people of today to be inspired by the stories and values of our country's Founding Fathers. You can hear the interview by using the audio toolbar below.

My Guest Last Sunday was Jennifer Drum

Jennifer Drum is actually a neighbor. But, she has such a fascinating story of overcoming physical adversity, that I wanted to give her a chance to share that with my listeners. She has worked (and prayed) her way through Cerebral Palsy, seizures, and two brain surgeries. She is one of the most inspiring people I know. You can hear our interview by using the audio toolbar below.

My Guest Dec. 13 was Kit Cummings

Kit Cummings, a speaker and mission coach, was my guest on my Achieving the Extra-Ordinary radio show on KTSA Radio.

Kit's message combines his interest and study in psychology, physics and theology to help people get beyond the fear, anxiety and drama that can prevent people from living a fulfilling life. He calls this "Attitude Science," and uses it to re-direct people toward living a more victorious life--a life with less stress and more tapped into their passions.

Click on the audio toolbar below to hear the entire interview.

My Radio Show's Topic Was Grieving a Loved One

On the December 6 edition of "Achieving the Extra-Ordinary," my guests and I tackled a difficult topic--grief. Several of my guests are board members for the Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas, an organization that works with children who have lost a parent, sibling or other family member or who have a parent who is terminally ill. It was a timely topic, since the Holidays are often an especially difficult time for those who have lost a loved one--even if the loss is not recent.

To hear the discussion, use the audio tool bar below.

My Interview on KOB-TV Albuquerque

I recently did an interview on Good Day New Mexico, on TV Station KOB in Albuquerque. The segment promoted my book, Adversity to Success, and I explained my philosophy that optimism is a choice--one I choose to make every day.

SMILE

Sometimes the day makes you smile and sometimes you have to chose to make the day smile...either way, life is too short and precious to live it with a frown - even for a minute.   --- Anonymous

Thanksgiving Thoughts

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" JFK

"Silent gratitude isn't much to anyone."  Gertrude Stein

 Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord, Praise ye the Lord."

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie

My November 22 Radio Show

This past Sunday, I interviewed several guests, including James Castro of St. Peter St. Joseph's Children's Home in San Antonio, Clayton Cochran, the president of the choir at Fellowship of San Antonio, and Brandon Parrott, with Touchdown for Life.

We also learned something about how to achieve the extraordinary from Jo Condrill, a leadership training consultant.

To hear the show, use the audio toolbar below.

My Guest This Week Was Chris Cannon, Founder of Fighting4Youth

Chris Cannon is a former teacher and coach who has dedicated his life to helping young people avoid the pitfalls of drugs, alcohol and other harmful distractions. He provides seminars for parents and teachers and participatory presentations for young people throughout the US. Hear my interview with him by using the audio toolbar below.

My Guest November 8 was Dr. Eli Whitney, Founder of MOST

This past Sunday, my guest on Achieving the Extra-Ordinary was Cardiologist Dr. Eli Whitney. Dr. Whitney not only is a well-known heart specialist, he is also the founder of MOST--Motivating Our Students Texas. In our interview, Dr. Whitney describes how his own experience growing up in a "tough" neighborhood has inspired him to develop motivational programs for youth. Click on the audio toolbar below to hear his fascinating story.

TFTD - USMC Happy Birthday!

Yes, the 234th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps deserves comment under The Thought for the Day. Take time today to reflect upon the dedication to duty and the courage to defend our country that these brave men and women have displayed for all these years.

Today is the day before Veterans Day where we honor all Veterans but the USMC, today, celebrate their 234 years of service and we should celebrate with them.

SEMPER FI

My Interview with America's Got Talent Finalist Don Braswell

San Antonian-area resident Don Braswell has an amazing story of overcoming the effects of an accident to get his singing career back on track. Here it by clicking on the audio toolbar below:

TFTD - Communication

"The problem with communication...is the illusion that it has been accomplished." -  George Bernard Shaw

Last Sunday I Interviewed Sportscaster Jay Tope

Jay Tope, the man behind SASports.com, has a heart for amateur athletes. He covers high school and college sports in the South Texas area. Hear my interview by clicking on the audio tool bar below.

My Interview with Mark Shriver, New President of OI

I was honored to have the opportunity to interview the 2009-2010 President of Optimists International on my radio show October 18. To hear it, click on the audio tool bar below.

TFTD - Health

"The first wealth is health." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

TFTD - Ignorqance

"Nothing in the world is more dangerousthan sincere ignorance and conscientous stupidy." - MLK Jr

I hope you enjoy my new preview video

The following video was created using recordings of several speaking engagements this past summer, including the presentation I did at a Silver Stars game to help that organization support breast cancer awareness. I hope you enjoy it.

TFTD - Leadership

"Leadership is an action, not a position." Donald R McGannon

TFTD - Decision Making

In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worse thing is you can do nothing.  - Teddy Roosevelt

My Guest was Joanne Klauke-LaBelle

Joanne Klauke-LaBelle is the founder of Harmony for Youth, a program that allows at-risk youth the opportunity to learn to express themselves through music. Begun in Canada, the organization now has chapters internationally.

Among the most interesting aspects of the program is that participants pay no fees, but rather are expected to "pay it forward" by volunteering 1 hour of service for each hour of participation in the Harmony programs.

To hear my interview from Sunday, October 11, use the audio tool bar below.

TFTD - Perception

"A mile is the same distance going uphill as it is going downhill, it just always seems longer. Choose your route and plan in advance. It will help you avoid the uphill journey so much."  Ron Graves 10/12/09

TFTD - Making a Difference

You can Make A Difference in what the world will be 100 years from now by making the difference in the life of a child TODAY! - Ron Graves 10/12/09

A great interview with Tish Hagee-Tucker and Carol Bozant

Tish Hagee-Tucker, author of Hear My Cry, and fellow Optimist Carol Bozant, were my guests on Achieving the Extra-Ordinary last Sunday. Both are cancer survivors who have used their experience to support and encourage others. You can hear the interview using the audio tool bar below.

TFTD - Belief

"He does not believe that does not act according to his belief." - Thomas Fuller

TFTD - OPPORTUNITY

An Optimistic definition of FAILURE: The beginning of another OPPORTUNITY!

My Guest Yesterday was Monica Davis

Monica has a project that I really enjoyed helping her promote--Exceptional People Magazine. Now a web-based magazine, it will soon be available in a printed version. Hear my interview with her by clicking on the arrow below.

TFTD - Morality

Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace. - Oscar Wilde

My Guest was Rusty Rice, President, TX Association of Health Underwriters

Last Sunday, my guest on Achieving the Extra-Ordinary was Rusty Rice, the current president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters. Rusty has been involved in the health insurance industry since 1993. It was interesting to talk with him in light of the current health care debate in this country.

To hear the audio, click on the arrow.

TFTD - Being brave

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only one

TFTD - Leadership

A leader leads by example, whether they intend to or not - American Proverb

TFTD - THANK YOU

"God is giving you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Use one of them to say "Thank you".

Varitation of quote from William Arthur Ward

TFTD - Opportunities

"Opportunities are never lost. Someone will take the ones you miss." - Unknown

TFTD - Goals

"You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you must want to be. Put your future in good hands: your own." - Mark Victor Hansen

TFTD - UNITY

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity! - Psalm 133

TFTD - Friendship

"Life is nothing without friendship." - Cicero

Radio Show Interview with Columnist Cary Clack

My guest Sunday, September 13 was long-time San Antonio Express-News columnist Cary Clack. Hear our conversation here:

TFTD - Goals

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination." - Fitzhugh Dobson

TFTD - Goals

"Goals are dreams with a deadline." - Diana Scharf Hunt

TFTD - Goals

"If you aim at nothing you will hit it everytime." - Anon

TFTD - Enthusiasm

"Life's blows cannot break a person whose spirit is warmed by the fire of enthusiasm."  Norman Vincent Peale

My Guest Sept. 6 was Jason Smith

Jason Smith is an outstanding young man, an entrepreneur and founder of Torchlight Technologies. Use the audio player below to hear my interview with him.

TFTD - Dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

My Guests were Tanji Patton and Kay Spears

My guests last week on my Radio Show were Tanji Patton and Kay Spears. We talked about food, travel, nutrition, healthy living, and having fun in life.

To hear the conversation, use the audio player below.

TFTD - Adversity

"The ugly face of tragedy can be transformed by a beautiful new opportunity." - Ron Graves

TFTD-Adversity

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limits to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." - Helen Keller

TFTD - Friends

"No one can be happy without a friend, nor be sure of a friend till he is unhappy." - Thomas Fuller

TFTD - Friendship

"All men have their frailties, and whomever looks for a freind without imperfections will never find what he seeks." - Robert Louis Stevenson

Continuation of Sep Newsletter- Dr. Sandy Magnus

Dr. Magnus is just one of thousands at NASA. She is just one of thousands who had a hopes and dreams many years ago. She accomplished the Extraordianry in life because she not only had hopes and dreams but she had written goals and visualized herself an astronaut. But what made her extraordinary is that she took action. And, she was extraordinary also because there were many in her life who inspired her and created in her life a vision of being able to do anything she wanted to do in life.

Pope John Paul XXIII said, "consult not your fears but consult your hopes and dreams, concern yourself not with frustrations in life but with your unfullfilled potential, and dwell not with your negatives but dwell on all the possibilities in your life."

Dr. Magnus is an example of the thoughts of Pope Jon Paul XXIII. Corky Helms, a person dedicated to his profession as a teacher and mentor and I also know as a great member of Optimist International is also an example of the fact that being extraordinary can be accomplished by anyone willing to do the EXTRA. Corky did the extra in his life and because he did, Dr. Sandy Magnus is our Extraordinary Inspirational Person for September and rightfully so Corky is also the Inspirational Person for September along with her.

Continuation of Sep Newsletter - I Believe by Brian Tracy

I believe the greatest achievements of your life lie ahead of you.

I believe the happiest moments of your life are yet to come.

I believe the greatest successes you will ever attain are still waiting for you on the road ahead.

And, I believe through learning and application of what you learn, you can solve any problem, overcome any obstacle and achieve any goal that you can set for yourself.

- Brian Tracy

TFTD - Friendship

"It is chance that makes brothers, but it is hearts that makes friends." E. Von Geibel

TFTD - Sunshine and rain

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there really is not such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." - John Ruskin

Such is life also.

TFTD - Sunshine

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." - Raph Waldo Emerson

A good idea for living a full and fun and interesting life.

TFTD - Sunshine

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller

TFTD - Kindness

"Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows." - Robert Green Ingersoll

Jason Cox was my guest last night

Jason Cox, founder of the Marrow Match Foundation was my guest yesterday on Achieving the Extraordinary, my weekly call-in talk show on KTSA radio. Hear the broadcast here:

TFTD - SUNSHINE

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." - James matthew Barrie

TFTD - Character

"Any fool can criticize, condemn. and complain, and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving." - Dale Carnegie

TFTD - Character

"The best index to a person's character is (a) how he treats people who can't do him any good and (b) how he treats people who can't fight back" - Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby)

TFTD - Believe in ones self

"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact." Henry James

TFTD Character

"Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self-respect springs." - Joan Didion

TFTD - Action

"The HOPES and DREAMS of a thousand people wanting to change the world but who do not take ACTION will not effect the world as much as the ACTION taken by the one person who does." Quote by Ron Graves 8/17/09

TFTD - Change

"To exist is to change; to change is to mature; to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." Henri Bergson

Betsy Britton Radio Interview August 9

Betsy Britton, a favorite of San Antonio radio listeners for many years, shared her personal story of overcoming childhood rejection in this fascinating interview on August 9. I share it here with you. Click on the audio toolbar to hear her story.

Achieving the Extra-Ordinary Broadcast August 2

My guest on August 2 was Dr. Becky Whetstone. Becky is a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist who is well-known to San Antonio radio audiences. I invite you to click on the audio toolbar below to hear my interview of her.

TFTD - Vision

"Depression losses its power when freesh vision pierces the darkness." Peter Sinclair

TFTD - Imagination

"The biggest thing I've been thankful for is my imagination. When people said, 'it's impossible; it can't be done,' that's where my imagination came into play." Michael Phelps, Olypic Swimmer

TFTD - Life and age

If you knew that today would be the last day of your life what would you do, who would you call, who would see? Think about this unless of course you have a gurantee that today will not be your last.

TFTD - Happiness

"Being asked 100 times how you are doing will not mean as much to a person as being told once that they are loved." - Ron Graves, August 10, 2009

TFTD - Happiness

"Let's be grateful for those that give us happiness; they are the charming gardners who make our soul bloom." - Marcel Proust

TFTD - Success

"We were born to succeed not fail." Henry David Thoreau

TFTD - Work

"He that would have the fruit must first must climb the tree." James Allen

TFTD - From Dale Carnegie

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today." Dale Carnegie

My Interview with Louise Locker

My guest on my radio talk show, Achieving the Extra-Ordinary, on Sunday July 26 was Louise Locker, otherwise known in San Antonio as "Elf Louise."

Listen in on the conversation with this extra-ordinary woman here:

TFTD - APTITUDE vs ATTITUDE

It is not your APTITUDE that determines where you go with you life, it is your ATTITUDE!

Ron Graves Aug 3 2009

Typing errors in my continuation of newsletter posts

I hit the submit key before the spell check key in the two continuation of my newsletter posts. I do want to say that Knowville should read Knoxville (Tennessee) Optimist club plus please forgive a few other typo's. Thanks Ron

Continuation of The Four Way Test of Rotary

The Four Way Test is a great thought process to our daily lives. If I had to break it down into a one line test it would be the line almost everyone has heard in their lives and it is:

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

One does not need to be Biblical or a member of a non-profit group or a volunteer in the community to live by this great test in one's life. Try it each day for a month and see how your life can change.

Continuation of Inspirational person of the month- August

"Sir, I am not just a janitor. I helped put someone on the moon!" This man recognized that he was not just a janitor, but had a bigger vision and purpose for his life.

During my travels, I am finding more and more companies that have no spirit whatsoever. Zilch. Nada. There is not spirit in the people who work for theses companies. Instaed I hear ickering. Jealsous. Envy. Saccasm. A culture that zaps people of their enthusiasm and energy. And they wonder why there are morale and performance issues?

We are all leaders! Every single one of us. Don't be one of those leaders that only lead when there is a big project or deadline at stake. Because it won't last and it certaily won't lead to greatness. Stimulate excitement and allow it to move you and your team by fueling up with high-octane purpose! Only you know what the purpose and vision is - and only can you can decide. When you are in charge, you have the best view and vision so you'll need to communicate your vision to others. And once they are part of your purpose and vision, they'll work harder and longer for you. You've probably heard of the phrase, "Imirror what I receive." You see, there may be times whn you'll break down and can't find the motivation to do what is necessary. But your family, friends, co-workers, teammates - whomever they may be - will continue to encourage you along the way.

A shared vision and purpose keeps us energized and together.

Copyright @2007 Optimist Club of Knowville, All rights reserved website by the Bryan Group

One never knows when something said or done will make such a difference in another's life.
The janitor was not just a janitor. Inspirational people come in all types and sizes. The common man is my inspirational person of the month because he realized he was part of something larger than life.

TFTD - Believe in ones self

"Anything is possible. You can be told you have a 90-percent chance, or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight." Lance Armstrong

TFTD - Future benefits

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." - Napolean Hill

TFTD - Perseverance

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you are caring it." - Lena Horne, Entertainer

TFTD - SUNSHINE

"The sun that rises each day, rises on everyone with equal brightness. How much sun shine everyone allows into their lives is a personal decision." - Ron Graves, Jul 28, 2009

TFTD - Giving, not getting

" We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" Winston Churchill

"Anyone can be born into poverty, but it is up to them if they die in poverty" - Ron Graves, 7/27/09

TFTD - A child's life

This is someone's quote, not mine. I cannot remember the person who quoted it but here is a paraphrase.

100 years from now it will not make any difference the size of the house I lived in, the money I made, the type of car I drove but what will matter is the impact I had on the life of a child

First Radio Show July 19

Click on the Audio bar above to hear the broadcast. My Guest was Cynthia Lee, founder of Motah. Visit her website at www.motah.us.

TFTD - Giving, not getting

"You will receive more out of life if you look for what you can give rather than look for you you can get" Ron Graves, 7/23/09

TFTD - Listening

Is it not ironic that LISTEN and SILENT are spelled using the same letters?

One of the strongest characteristics of a leader is the ability to LISTEN.

It is seeminly impossible to listen to someone else if you are talking. Multi-tasking does not include talking and pretending to listen.

Of all the compliments in the world, one of the greatest would be that "he/she is a good listener"

Some people talk because they have something to say, others say something because they have to talk.

TFTD - The Impact of your life

"Your life will be remembered longer for the lasting impact (good or bad) upon the lives of others after your death than for the immediate impact (good or bad) while you lived." Ron Graves 7/21/09

Point: Helping a child today by offering a hand so they can attend camp during the summer may result in one day that child building an entire camp for children well after you are gone. The Optimist Club of San Antonio provides a scholarship to several high school seniors each year. The scholarship was founded and initially funded by a local doctor who while a student received assistance from a member of our optimist club. A quarter century or so has gone by since the death of that Optimist member who befriended a child but the scholarship is given each year in his honor by one of those he assisted.

Don't just live today, live forever.

TFTD - Life and age

"Life is like riding a bicycle, you don't fall off unless you stop peddaling" Calud Pepper, ageless Congressman from Florida

TFTD - AIM HIGH

"If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it everytime." Unknown

TFTD - Overcoming Adversity

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limits to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." Helen Keller

TFTD - Tragedy

"...any difficulties that can come to you...no matter what they are...enable you to take the next step forward by overcoming them...the only real tragedy comes when we suffer without learning the lesson" - Emmet Fox

TFTD - Miss America 1995

Heather Whitestone McCallum was Miss America in 1995. Here is her five step program for dealing with life. By the way, she is deaf.

"Be positive, believe in yourself, face your obstacles, work hard, and build a support network". Heather's 5 step STAR program.

TFTD - RISK

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." Unknown

TFTD - Attitude

Because Fri is a holiday (July 3) and I will be at the Optimist International convention Jul 6-12 I will not have my TFTD until Monday Jul 13 so this is the last one until then.

This is one I received from Debra Castiglia, an Optimist member from AZ. Thanks Debra

"The people with whom you work reflect your own attitude. If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these same traits echoed all about you. But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in the persons with whom you are going to spend most of your working hours." - Beatrice Vincent

TFTD - Determination

"Determination, patience, and courage are the only things needed to improve any situation". Anonymous

continuation of circumstance from July newsletter

People for hundreds of years, in fact, probably since the beginning of human existance, have blamed their "circumstances" for their problems in life they face.

Thankfully life affords each of us the opportunity to allow circumstances to guide us or to allow us to determine our circumstances.

I reflect upon the Bibilical parable of the talents where three were given talents accordings to their abilities. The three recepients appoached their opportunities different. (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28).

My version: Make the most of your circumstances given and the circumstances will turn in your favor.

Continuation of Alexander Hamilton from Newsletter

Alexander Hamilton was killed by Aaron Burr, a political opponent. It is said that as he lay on the ground dying, Hamilton forgave Burr.

Hamilton "Achieved the Extraordinary" in his life against the terrible odds of success in life. He was a Patriot and hero of our Revolutionary War. He was inspirational then to his fellow countrymen and a study of his life indicates his inspiration transfers to us today.

People today who face abject poverty and the subject of malicious acts and the death of their mother and then left alone against the world can achieve greatness. It can be contributed to many things but he faced life with the attitude that he could contribute to his own life and the birth of our nation and help lay the foundation for the society we now enjoy as Americans.

TFTD - Possibilities

"Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams, think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible for you to do." POPE JOHN XXIII

TFTD = Expectations

"Don't join the easy crowd. You won't grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high." - Jim Rohn

TFTD - Integrity

"As you live your values, your sense of identity, integrity, control, and inner-directedness will infuse you both with exhilaration and peace. You will define yourself from within, rather than by people's opinions or by comparisions to others" - Stephen Covey

TFTD - Decisiveness

"Control your destiny or someone else will" Jack Welch

TFTD - Success

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble yet reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy" - Norman Vincent Peale

TFTD - Failure

I wrong this on Trey Ware's FB this morning (KTSA 550AM morning radio host):

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with ith the seed of an equal or greater benefit" Napolean Hill

TFTD - Procrasternation

From my freind Don Keating, a great Optimist member from South Carolina:

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it is about learning to dance in the rain" Vivian greene

TFTD - EFFORT

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential" - Winston Churchill

TFTD - Purpose

For my friend Rusty Rice who is becoming the President of the Texas Association of Health Undewriters on July 1, proud of you Rusty:

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

TFTD - Purpose

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes - Washington Irving

TFTD - Responsibility

This is from a dynamic Optimist from Oklahoma, Don Crall:

The responsibility for maintaining good performances is the employee's, not the manager's. The manager's job is to point out the discrepancy - the employee's job is to fix it. - Paul Sims

TFTD - Procrasternation

Take care of life today. Tomorrow is always tomorrow which never comes. And, today always becomes yesterday which never returns. Ron Graves, Jun 15, 2009

TFTD - Common Sense

Yes, a bird in the hand is usually worth more than two in the bush, unless, of course, the one in the hand is a vulture. Life involves using common sense, use it. Ron Graves 6/12/09

TFTD - Common Sense

Just because you believe in the old saying "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It" does not mean you should not inspect it every once in a while. "IT" may need more attention than you think. Ron Graves, 6/11/09

TFTD - DOING YOUR BEST

Doing a job right is more important than doing a job as fast - Ron Graves, 6/10/09

TFTD - Circumstances

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them - G B Shaw, 1893

TFTD - Persistence

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. - Unknown

TFTD - Persistence

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

TFTD - Determination

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines. - Robert Schuller

TFTD - Making Lemonade

The odds are life will hand you a lemon at some point; be prepared to make lemonade by storing up some sugar as you live your ife. Ron Graves June 3 2009

TFTD - Persistence

"If you leap for the stars but only land on the moon - leap again because the stars just becaem a little closer" - Ron Graves June 2 2009

TFTD - Persistence

You cannot go through life quitting everything. If you are going to achieve anything you've got to stick with something. - From the television show FAMILY MATTERS

Continuation of Andrew Carnegie "Power of Persuasion"

Carnegie drafted his letter to his nephew and signed it and then added a post script that he was enclosing a check for $10. But he did not put in the $10 check. Shortly thereafter he received a reply from his nephew stating the check was not enclosed in the letter he received from his uncle. Carnegie showed the letter to his sister who paid off her debt to her brother. Andrew Carnegie then sent the $10 to his nephew.

Of course, one hopes they never need to trick loved ones into communicating with them. But if you ever need to persuade someone to do something a certain way, remember that self-interest is one of the most effective motivators.

Teddy Roosevel Jr continuation from newsletter

Teddy Roosevelt Jr landed on Utah Beach leading his troops. He was using a cane and had a pistol. Learning his landing craft was a mile off position he evaluated the situation and gave his famous words "We'll start the war from right here!". And, he did and they did. Five Star General Omar Bradley, another hero of WWII, when asked his thoughts on who was the bravest person he ever saw in battle he replied in five words, "Ted Roosevelt on Utah Beach".

Teddy Roosevelt also suffered from heart problems and died in France from a heart attack a month after his landing at Utah Beach. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on D-Day, he had already earned a Distinguished Service Cross for service in WWI. He also in the two wars was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre (French) and numerous other medals and awards.

Ted Roosvelet Jr was not a hero because of his famous father who also received the Medal of Honor (only one other father son earners of MOH was Arthur and Douglas MacArthur) but he was a fearless leader, great communicator and example of courage in face of danger and therefore a hero in his own right.

Ted Roosevel was inspiring. In military and civilian life he shed the cloat of being the son of a famous father by being himslef and reaching out to make the world a better place. He was one of the founders of the American Legion after WWI as well as being part of the start of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. Ted Roosevelt did not need to put himself in harms way in two wars and could have just been the son of a President and Spanish American War hero but he chose to be an inspiration himself.

We should all be full of gratitude for those like Teddy (as he was called in his younger years) who gave of themselves in WWI and WWII so that our country might remain free. And, thank those like him who inspire us to do better in our lives.

TFTD - Personality Trait

"More than any other personality trait, optimism is a matter of practice" - Kathleen McCown

TFTD - Preparation

"The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital." - Joe Paterno

TFTD - Preparation

Preparation in life is vital. Not trying to learn how to swim until your ship begins to sink will certainly get you in water over your head - literally. Ron Graves, May 27, 2009

TFTD - My personal quotes

"A curve in the road usually means a straight stretch is awaiting" - Ron Graves, May 26, 2009

Memorial Day, May 25, 2009

Remember those fallen and with much gratitude for their service be thankful that there were those willing to give their lives that each of us can live our lives in freedom.

TFTD - My personal quotes

"Adversity is a weed in life waiting for the opportunity to bloom into a beautiful flower." Ron Graves, May 22, 2009

TFTD - My personal quotes

"Even the darkest cloud cannot keep the sunshine hidden forever." - Ron Graves, May 21, 2009

TFTD - My personal quotes

"Anyone can be born into poverty, but it is up to them whether they die in poverty" - Ron Graves, May 20, 2009

TFTD - Perseverance

Fall seven times, stand up eight -- Japanese Proverb

TFTD - Perseverance

"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places." - Author Unk

TFTD - Perseverance

Difficult things take a long time, impossible things take a little longer Author Unknown

TFTD - Perseverance

"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." - Thomas Foxwell Buxton

TFTD - DOING YOUR BEST

"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." - Helen Keller

TFTD - Enthusiasm

"Enthusiasm is a state of mind, an emotion, which you control. By control, I mean you can create it. If you want enthusiasm right now, this very second, you can create it. To start, just think about the work or service you like to do best. Can you feel a change, or maybe a smile on your face? Now take that positive feeling, and transfer it to your definite goal." - Thomas D. Wilhite

TFTD - DIRECTION

"Men and women, like nails, lose their usefulness when they lose direction and begin to bend." - Walter Savage Landor

TFTD - Courage

"Whenever you see a successful business someone once made a courageous decision." - Peter Drucker

TFTD - Determination

The difference between the impossible and possible is a person's determination. Unknown

TFTD - Teamwork

"We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin

TFTD - Teamwork

Continuation of "AMBITION" by Eleanor Roosevelt from May Newsletter

Is it best never to be known and to leave the world a blank as if one had never come? It must have been meant; it seems to me, that we should leave some mark upon the world and not just live and pass away. For what good can that do to ourselves or theirs? It is better to be ambitious and do something than to be unambitious and do nothing."

Quoting another woman with good comments to share:

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, your're always going to be in the same place. - Nora Roberts

Continuation of May newsletter - Inspirational People

Todd Beamer was one of the heros of Flight 93 who was believed to have overpowered the terrorists aboard therefore perhaps averting another attack on Washington, D.C. Todd is remembered as the one who yelled to his fellow passengers "LET'S ROLL" as he and the others attacked the terrorists.

Our world is full of everyday heroes. Police, firefighters, soldiers, but most impressive is the fact that the world is full of just plain everyday people willing to make a difference and often it means giving their lives.

On May 25 we will celebrate Memorial Day to honor the men and women of our country who gave of themselves so that we can have the freedoms we all share.

They were ordinary citizens who wore the uniform and while serving became EXTRAORDINARY when their lives ended so ours could continue.

Observe Memorial Day and give our heroes the dignity and respect they deserve. They truly our our inspirational people.

TFTD - DREAM

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover. - Mark Twain

TFTD - Responsibility

"We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until....we have stopped saying 'it is lost,' and say 'I lost it.' " --- Sidney J. Harris

TFTD - Norman Vincent Peale

"Empty pockets never held anyone back. Empty heads and hearts can do that." - NVP

TFTD - The Future

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." - George Bernard Shaw

TFTD - Oprah Winfrey on Poverty

"I don't think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as a somebodywho from and early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good."

TFTD - FEAR

"Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

TFTD - Responsibility

"The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs." - Joan Didion

TFTD (Thought For The Day)

From my good friend Ben Bradshaw, a great Optimist:

Most attribute this to A Lincoln. Not sure it can be proved but has been around 100 plus years.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weaking the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage earner down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking awaya people's intiative and independence.

You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. (attributed to many).

ENTHUSIASM

Develop enthusiasm as a habit. Dale Carngie, maybe the most famous motivational and success writers of all time says enthusiasm is the one quality that transends all successes.

My books co-author Ron Palermo quotes Vince Lombardi, who said, "If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm."

Lou Holtz, another legendary coach, rates enthusiasm higher than experience, wisdom, and other qualities one would think necessary in a successful football coach.

BE ENTHUSIASTIC!

It is a great day, count your blessings

I tell people the best way to overcome adversity is to face the adversity but also at the same time count your daily blessings. If you feel down and out right now take a pencil and a piece of paper, write down the good things in your life. Take another piece of paper and write down the bad things in your life. Compare the two and you will see that regardless of the immediate adversity or problem in your life the good will always outweigh the bad.