The Meaning Of Relationships: How The Thinkers See Relationships In Our Lives

You cannot run away from having a relationship. Be it meaningful ones, constructive ones or those that are negative. Yet, it’s always our role to constantly manage these links and interactions of ours. It first starts with the pondering and the appreciation.

Here are how some of the thinkers and authors see relationships:

Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. – William James

A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself – to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart. – Leo F. Buscaglia

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. – Carl Jung

Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people. – Mother Teresa

The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are. – Stephen R. Covey

Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships. – Stephen R. Covey

All disagreements are results of misunderstanding someone else’s level of consciousness. – Deepak Chopra

However good or bad you feel about your relationship, the person you are with at this moment is the “right” person, because he or she is the mirror of who you are inside. – Deepak Chopra

Commitment is inherent in any genuinely loving relationship. – M Scott Peck

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. – Charles Dickens

Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

No one makes you feel anything. It is how you react and respond that determines your emotions. – Brian Tracy

Some people enter our lives and leave almost instantly. Others stay, can forge such an impression on our heart and soul, we are changed forever. – Author Unknown

How Famous Achievers And Excellors View Work

It’s the start of another new week. When you come to think of it, there are so many different reactions to the notion of work. Some look at work with distasteful lethargy while some approach work with refreshing enthusiasm.

Let’s discover how the Achievers and Excellors look at work from their eyes:

“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” —Pearl Buck

“People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.” —Frederick Douglass

“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” —Elbert Hubbard

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” —Richard Bach

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” —Thomas A. Edison

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” —Theodore Roosevelt

“Going to work for a large company is like getting on a train. Are you going sixty miles an hour or is the train going sixty miles an hour and you’re just sitting still?” —J. Paul Getty

”When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” —Henry J. Kaiser

”I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” —Thomas Jefferson

“Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.” —David Rockefeller

”The companies that survive longest are the ones that work out what they uniquely can give to the world not just growth or money but their excellence, their respect for others, or their ability to make people happy. Some call those things a soul.” —Charles Handy

Experience The Humorous From The Famous

Their quick wit and quirky sense of humor never fail to amaze me. They can simply take a shot, and often a pot shot at life. For today, it wouldn’t harm to skip a beat, take a walk down funny lane and enter into the world of the famous comedians. Let’s see how they see.

After all, who says living a life must be that serious?

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From Bill Cosby

“Don’t worry about senility,” my grandfather used to say. “When it hits you, you won’t know it.” (Time Flies)

Immortality is a long shot, I admit. But somebody has to be first. (Time Flies)

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From Bob Hope (1903-2003)

I grew up with six brothers. That’s how I learned to dance -waiting for the bathroom.

(As he was receiving a gold medal from President Kennedy. ) I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it.

You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.

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From Woody Allen

I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.

Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought — particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things.

I’ve never been an intellectual but I have this look.

When I was kidnapped, my parents snapped into action. They rented out my room.

If you don’t fail now and again, it’s a sign you’re playing it safe.

When I was in school, I cheated on my metaphysics exam: I looked into the soul of the boy sitting next to me.

What if everything is an illusion and nothing exists? In that case, I definitely overpaid for my carpet. (Without Feathers)

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From Tim Allen

Electricity can be dangerous. My nephew tried to stick a penny into a plug. Whoever said a penny doesn’t go far didn’t see him shoot across that floor. I told him he was grounded.

Who gave you permission to tell Charlie there was no Santa Claus? I think if we’re going to destroy our son’s delusions, I should be a part of it. (Santa Clause)

While awaiting sentencing, I decided to give stand-up comedy a shot. The judge had suggested I get my act together, and I took him seriously. (Don’t stand too close to a Naked Man)

Women now have choices. They can be married, not married, have a job, not have a job, be married with children, unmarried with children. Men have the same choice we’ve always had: work or prison.

Sport On! Inspiring Quotes from Famous Sportspeople

Sportspeople have a certain way of achieving their goals. To strive towards breaking and being their personal best, they do see things in their own ways.

Here are some of their comments and quotes that show you how they sport on in their life and their sports passion:

From Lance Armstrong, a Tour De France tour-de-force cycling champion

I figure the faster I pedal, the faster I can retire.

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.

I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days.

From Michael Jordan, famous basketball player

You have to expect things of yourselves before you can do them.

I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot… and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s precisely why I succeed’

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

More Twists From The Wits

We will be surprised what goes on behind the brains of these people. They ponder and share their wittiness with flair. In addition, it’s often their insights of life that we can derive lessons from.

Here are more wits and twists from the famous:

Anything not worth doing is worth not doing well. Think about it.

– Elias Schwartz

Everything you can imagine is real.

– Picasso

Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.

– W. Edwards Deming

Hunger is the best sauce.

– Proverb

Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

– Chinese Proverb

That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!

-Calvin

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

– Abraham Lincoln

Don’t argue about the difficulties. The difficulties will argue for themselves.

– Winston Churchill

A Twist Of Wit And Irony

When we look at life with a twist of irony, we discover a new paradigm. It is the ability to make sense of this perspective that give us further insights of life. From a more humorous and unique point, we call this… wit.

And there are the greats, who entertain us and impress us with their wit. Yet with every witty quote uttered, there is an irony behind. Some are satirical, some are meant to teach, others remain perceptive. The rest just aim to amuse.

In this article, I present to you some of their wittiness, often accompanied with an indication of the irony of life.

After all, who says living has to be so straightforward. Enjoy!

“Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you.” – C. G. Jung (1875-1961)

“To sit alone with my conscience will be judgment enough for me.” – Charles William Stubbs

“Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.” – Slovenian proverb

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” – Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

“For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet, II.ii

“The longer I live the more I see that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains that I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time.” – George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.” – Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra (1925-)

“It usually takes a long time to find a shorter way.” – Anonymous

“I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying.” – Woody Allen (1935-)

“No pressure, no diamonds.” – Mary Case

“The fellow that agrees with everything you say is either a fool or he is getting ready to skin you.” – Kin Hubbard

“Don’t let people drive you crazy when you know it’s in walking distance.” – Anonymous

“Happiness is good health and a bad memory.” – Ingrid Bergman (1917-1982)

It’s All About Excelling Beyond Excellence!

Since this is website is about being empowered to Excel Beyond Excellence, here are some sayings on excellence by various thinkers and personalities. Have a look through and let’s contemplate on how being excellent can affect our lives and how we can further attain excellence ourselves.

Excellence encourages one about life generally; it shows the spiritual wealth of the world. — George Eliot

Excellence means when a man or woman asks of himself more than others do. — Jose Ortega Gasset

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. — Aristotle

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. — Ralph Marston

Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary. — Warren G. Bennis

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way. — Booker T. Washington

There is no excellence without labor. One cannot dream oneself into either usefulness or happiness. — Liberty Hyde Bailey

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. — Pat Riley

Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer. — Rick Pitino

The Wisdom Of Eleanor Roosevelt

What I like most about the quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt is that her words are ever so simple yet insightful. She often used a few quick words to summarize the essence of life and relationship.

Being a much loved personality and figure of the 20^th century, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was the former First Lady of the United States of America. Rising to even greater prominence along with her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, she spent much of her years working on human and civil rights, including the fair status of women and treatment of children.

She was also instrumental in the founding of United Nations Association of the United States. Her words and works has often touched many and influenced the development of human rights achievement.

Quoted below are some of her famous words of wisdom. Perhaps you may have heard of them but the words still ring so true. They are about the life we can have and the relationships we build. Do take time to ponder on them:

“Many people will walk in and out of your life,
But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;
If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.

He who loses money, loses much;
He, who loses a friend, loses much more;
He, who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.                                                     You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.

Friends, you and me….
You brought another friend….
And then there were three.

We started our group….
Our circle of friends….
And like that circle….
There is no beginning or end..

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.”

An Inspirational Poem To Perk Up Your Day

The Cloud by Percy Bysshe Shelley

I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers,

From the seas and the streams;

I bear light shade for the leaves when laid

In their noonday dreams.

From my wings are shaken the dews that waken

The sweet buds every one,

When rocked to rest on their mother’s breast,

As she dances about the sun.

I wield the flail of the lashing hail,

And whiten the green plains under,

And then again I dissolve it in rain,

And laugh as I pass in thunder.

 

I sift the snow on the mountains below,

And their great pines groan aghast;

And all the night ’tis my pillow white,

While I sleep in the arms of the blast.

Sublime on the towers of my skiey bowers,

Lightning, my pilot, sits;

In a cavern under is fettered the thunder,

It struggles and howls at fits;

 

Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,

This pilot is guiding me,

Lured by the love of the genii that move

In the depths of the purple sea;

Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills,

Over the lakes and the plains,

Wherever he dream, under mountain or stream,

The Spirit he loves remains;

And I all the while bask in Heaven’s blue smile,

Whilst he is dissolving in rains.

 

The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,

And his burning plumes outspread,

Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,

When the morning star shines dead;

As on the jag of a mountain crag,

Which an earthquake rocks and swings,

An eagle alit one moment may sit

In the light of its golden wings.

And when Sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath,

Its ardors of rest and of love,

 

And the crimson pall of eve may fall

From the depth of Heaven above,

With wings folded I rest, on mine aery nest,

As still as a brooding dove.

That orbed maiden with white fire laden,

Whom mortals call the Moon,

Glides glimmering o’er my fleece-like floor,

By the midnight breezes strewn;

And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,

Which only the angels hear,

May have broken the woof of my tent’s thin roof,

The stars peep behind her and peer;

And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,

Like a swarm of golden bees,

When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,

Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas,

Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,

Are each paved with the moon and these.

 

I bind the Sun’s throne with a burning zone,

And the Moon’s with a girdle of pearl;

The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim

When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.

From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,

Over a torrent sea,

Sunbeam-proof, I hang like a roof,–

The mountains its columns be.

The triumphal arch through which I march

With hurricane, fire, and snow,

When the Powers of the air are chained to my chair,

Is the million-colored bow;

The sphere-fire above its soft colors wove,

While the moist Earth was laughing below.

 

I am the daughter of Earth and Water,

And the nursling of the Sky;

I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;

I change, but I cannot die.

For after the rain when with never a stain

The pavilion of Heaven is bare,

And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams

Build up the blue dome of air,

I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,

And out of the caverns of rain,

Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,

I arise and unbuild it again.

Best Leadership Advice From Famous Leaders And Thinkers

Leadership is both a science and art that involves the mobilization of people towards certain goals. In the midst of working and pursuing them, it will be to our advantage when we are well advised.

Let’s hear what some of the most famous leaders and leadership thinkers have to advice us regarding being effective leaders:

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

— George S. Patton, World War II General 

I don`t want any “yes-men” around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their jobs.

— Samuel Goldwyn 1882-1974, movie producer 

We shape our environments, then our environments shape us.

— Winston Churchill 1874-1965, former British Prime Minister

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.

— Andrew Carnegie 1835-1919, Scottish industrialist 

The skilful leader subdues the enemy`s troups without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overtrows their kingdom without lenghty operations in the field. With his forces intact he wil dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without loosing a man, his triumph wil be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.

— Sun Tzu c. 490 BC, Chinese military strategist 

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

— Peter F. Drucker, American management guru 

The responsibility of the executive is (1) to create and maintain a sense of purpose and moral code for the organization; (2) to establish systems of formal and informal communication; and (3) to ensure the willingness of people to cooperate.

— Chester Barnard in The Functions of the Executive (1938)

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.

— Washington Irving, 1783-1859, American author 

Personal leadership is the process of keeping your vision and values before you and aligning your life to be congruent with them.

— Stephen Covey, American leadership author

Leadership has a harder job to do than just choose sides. It must bring sides together.

— Jesse Jackson, Civil rights leader