TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

"Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others."

Buddha, 6th century BC founder of Buddhism.

If you see this as largely or purely a political statement you miss the point.

Self-reliance is the first step toward self-preservation; it is in your own best interest.

NOT ALONE BUT OFTEN ON YOUR OWN

"You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room."

Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), 20th century American writer/cartoonist.

Many other quotes say the same thing.

Get all the help from others you can but in the end, what you become, or don't become, is up to you.

MAN, WOMAN, BOY, GIRL . . . ALL OF US

"Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals."

Albert Schweitzer, 19th/20th century French/German philosopher/physician

Think how much better things would be if, starting today, we all took personal responsibility for our own circumstances?

This does not mean you solve your problems, I'll solve mine.

Only that all solutions for us both begin with each of us as individuals.

EASY TO SAY, DIFFICULT TO DO

"Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying once and for all."

Ovid (BC 43-AD 18) Roman poet.

Not sure what Ovid had to worry about but whatever it was it couldn't have been much.

If it had he'd have known his advice is easy to give, very difficult to follow.

Difficult, not impossible.

You can manage what you choose to worry about, how you manage your fears.

And the more you do the better at doing it you become.

YOU HAVE WINGS FOR A REASON

"If there was one life skill everyone on the planet needed, it was the ability to think with critical objectivity."

Josh Lanyon, American author

from his book "Come Unto These Yellow Sands"

And the problem has nothing to do with one's level of education; many and probably most college grads are content to simply follow a path prescribed for them by someone else.

But the best are the few ready to go a different way, one they select.

Which are you? 

Which will you be?  

THAT'S YOU!

"My chief want in life is someone who shall make me do what I can."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet/essayist/lecturer.

My initial reaction to this was, such a person does not exist.

My soon after conclusion was s(he) does exist.

We each are the person who can make us achieve our maximum potential.

The only person who can.

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS BY LIVING AS THOUGH YOU ALREADY HAD

"If you want to be something, act as though you already are the something you wish to be."

Unknown

If you know enough about what you want to be to want to be it, you know enough to begin acting as though you already are it.

But don't just leave it at acting.

Actually work to become what you wish to be.

NOT HAPPY WITH YOURSELF?

"We continue to shape our personality all our life."

Albert Camus (1913-1960) French novelist/essayist/dramatist.

You continually change but how much of what you will be is up to you.

Don't leave you to chance, direct what you will become.

WHO'D YOU MAKE THE BOSS OF YOU?

"Nothing external to you has any power over you."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet, essayist and lecturer.

We all know this is not so; all sorts of people have power over others, you and me included. 

How did Mr. Emerson get this so wrong?

What he said is true, it's what he didn't say that completes the story.

No one or thing has any power over us other than what we give them.

Try to be a little more selective regarding when and to whom you give power over you.

WHAT YOU MAKE OF YOU

"You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration."

James Allen (1864-1912) British-born American essayist.

It really is that simple.

LUCKY?

"Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise."

Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658) Spanish philosopher/writer

And those who "assist" themselves more will be luckier than those who don't.

IT'S UP TO YOU

"Man is made or unmade by himself."

James Allen (1864-1912) British-born American essayist

This doesn't mean your fate is not affected by others and events outside your control. 

You are.

But no matter what others do and whatever events you encounter, what you do and become is up to you.

NONE? EVER?

"I can't get no satisfaction."

Mick Jagger, lead singer, The Rolling Stones

This is not unique to Mick; we all have spells where nothing seems to go our way.

But what then?

Well, you can either accept that as your fate or attempt to change things to the point that you do get some satisfaction.

The choice is yours.

I UNDERSTAND THAT

"One may understand the Cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star."

Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Late 19th/early 20th century British journalist/novelist/poet

But you must try.

You must do all you can to direct the only mortal life you will have.

If you don't others will for you.

YES YOU ARE

"Most people are in favor of progress, it's the changes they don't like."

Unknown

Or change is ok as long as someone else is doing it.

People, you are changing! The only question is to what, decided by who?

Shouldn't you be the judge of that?

NOT WHAT IS, WHAT WILL BE

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."

Thomas Paine

18th century English intellectual

And if not the world, certainly your business and absolutely what you will become in the future.

But you have to do it!

IT'S UP TO YOU

"Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is."

Albert Camus

20th century French novelist, essayist, dramatist

In our defense, we are not born what we will ultimately become.

What that will be remains to be seen.

A good thing unless, as many do, we waste the opportunity to shape our destiny.

Reinventing You

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."

Thomas Paine

18th century English intellectual

And if we can reinvent the world, we should also be able to improve ourselves.

If you are having difficulty finding a job, you may need to begin you all over again.

If so, don't fear the challenge that represents.

Change is constant, these days at an accelerated pace.

Get started.

What Is Your Self-Image?

"You have to believe in yourself."

Sun Tzu

5th century BC Chinese general/author

He says this meaning you should as opposed to you are compelled to do so.

Wouldn't it be great if both were true?

Who Controls You?

"Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power."

Seneca
5th century BC Roman philosopher

Self-control.

Do you have it?