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Friday, October 31, 2008

Choosing the Right Path in Your Life

We are all on a path. There are many . . . some lead to rewarding and healthy lifestyles and some initiate a life of misery and few options. We choose a path early in life thinking it's the correct one for us; it is based partly on our thoughts of what is an appropriate and rewarding life. And, some paths have a luck aspect - being in the right place at the right time can trigger opportunities that wouldn't normally be available. Chance encounters with influential people can provide a bridge to an unexpected fork in the road . . . a way to live a life being able to fully express our inner selves. Due to limited true life experience, the early course of one's path often has to be corrected to full-fill desires.

We are the producers and directors of our life stories. Nothing is set in stone and changes can be made as necessary. Some changes, depending on circumstances, need to be initiated immediately. Triggers for immediate change could be financial, climate or security-related. Unhappiness triggers change and sometimes one change might lead to another change.

To live a happy life, change is something that is an ongoing operation. It is necessary to stay ahead of life's negative external forces. One path in life that is appropriate for one personality type may not be correct for someone with different intellectual and emotional maturities.

Each decade brings a different set of challenges and without change of path, one could find themselves overwhelmed with a life that is too stressful, complicated or emotionally void. As we approach the end of life, paths should be leading to simplicity and peacefulness.

- Deborah Goulekas

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/458596/choosing_the_right_path_in_your_life.html?cat=34

Deborah emailed me this article she wrote and thought I could add it to the blog. Please take some time to read this great piece. Thanks, Deborah, I really appreciate it.

- Kaoru

Angel Falls

Precious Things

Some things in life are more precious than words can explain,
Watching puddles move from drops of rain.
The sounds of a wave crashing against a rock,
A sunset reflection, a vision you can not block.
Whispers of wind blowing through trees,
Walks through sand where you feel an ocean breeze.
Kittens purring in your ear,
These little things in life are so dear.
A drive at night to watch the stars
Help your dreams seem not so far.
Soft hair of your teddy bear,
A friend you know who will always care.
The sound of a newborn baby's cry,
The first time they open their eyes.
A sweet smell of a yellow rose,
This is something you will always know.
A true love that you have found,
You know your hearts will always be bound.

- Shellie Sanchez

Friendship

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit.

- Aristotle

Nobody Can Make You Feel Inferior

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Spiritual Motivation

Building People into Better People

In the course of my day I try and build up as many people as I can. I do it unselfishly for the soul purpose of making better people. I do it because we all can use a helping hand and no one knows how much of a difference that helping hand will make in someone’s life. If you do this you will never lack people who hold you in high esteem. They will always support you as you have always supported them. Build a positive flow of energy around you.

- Kaoru

Being Good

We can do more good being good,
than any other way.

- Rowland Hill

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Enlightenment

Any fool can read a book on horticulture and grow a rose, but only the enlightened will see its beauty and smile.

- Steve Lee

Faith in Action

Most people want to do good,
most people want to help,
they just don't know how.

- Della Reese

Inspiration

We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.

- Frank Tibolt

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Duet - Because You Loved Me

Celine Dion - Introduction For Charice

Charice - Dream Comes True

The impossible dream becomes a dream come true for Charice, a sixteen-year-old girl from the Philippines.

Unity and Love

I offer you peace.
I offer you love.
I loffer you friendship.
I see your beauty.
I hear your need.
I feel your feelings.
My wisdom flows from
the Highest Source.
I salute that Source in you.
Let us work together for
unity and love.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Inspire Others

Find your
voice, and
inspire others
to find theirs.

- Stephen R. Covey

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows

Living Life to the Fullest

Living life to the fullest is something that you want to do and you want to do it with the right people that will make you feel good about who you are inside and out. Having a good quality of people to share things with will make you a happier person and give you the goals in life that are important to you as well. Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself and make decisions about the people that you want to have in your life. Get the negative out so that you can have more positive in your own life.

- http://www.singlescafe.net

Deepak Chopra: Releasing Emotion Toxins

The More We Share

The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have.

-Leonard Nimoy

Thanks for the quote, Anita

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Dreams

It's not too late... the angel said.
Even though the world's a mess...
Even though you're not as young...
Even though you've made mistakes and have been afraid
It's not too late...
And then I saw the world through the angels' eyes...
I saw the colors I could paint
The bridges I could build
The lives that I could touch
The dreams that could still come true
And it became very clear to me...
That it's not too late.

- Ron Atchison

Never Give Up

Never give up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country is spent
developing the mind instead of the heart
Develop the heart,
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends but to everyone,
be compassionate
Work for peace in your heart and in the world
Work for peace, and I say again
Never give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up.

- Tenzin Gyatso

Choices

Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming.

It's about the choices you've just made, and the ones you're about to make, it's about the things you choose to say - today.

It's about what you're gonna do after you finish reading this.

- Mike Dooley

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Beauty of Life

Be a Friend

Be a friend. You don't need money;
Just a disposition sunny;
Just the wish to help another
Get along some way or other;
Just a kindly hand extended
Out to one who's unbefriended;
Just the will to give or lend,
This will make you someone's friend.

Be a friend. You don't need glory.
Friendship is a simple story.
Pass by trifling errors blindly,
Gaze on honest effort kindly,
Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,
Pity him who's sadly sighing;
Just a little labor spend
On the duties of a friend.

Be a friend. The pay is bigger
(Though not written by a figure)
Than is earned by people clever
In what's merely self-endeavor.
You'll have friends instead of neighbors
For the profits of your labors;
You'll be richer in the end
Than a prince, if you're a friend.

- Edgar A. Guest

Inspire

Thought, Affirmation & Visualization

Thought:

The more you give the more you receive.

Affirmation:

I generously share my strengths with others.

Visualization:

In my mind's eye I connect with my emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual strengths. I take a moment to express gratitude for these strengths and all that they have brought to my life. In my mind's eye, I see myself generously sharing my strengths with others. I see the positive results my sharing brings to others and also to myself. I combine these images with joy and let them go, knowing that they will create the good things I am visualizing and thinking.

http://www.lightchamber.org

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Belief

To trust in the force
that moves the universe is faith
Faith isn't blind, it's visionary.
Faith is believing that the universe
is on our side, and that the universe
knows what it's doing.

- Anonymous

New Beginning

Dare to believe that each step you take will lead to a new beginning.

- Kaoru

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Kindness

Wherever there is a human being,
there is an opportunity for kindness.

- Seneca

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

When People Don't Understand, Listen Better

When people don’t understand you, it’s because you don’t understand them. If you had really known what they were saying, your statements would have responded to theirs (even if you disagreed) and would have made sense to them. Maybe you started making assumptions about what they were thinking or feeling and responded to that instead of what they were saying. Maybe what they said didn’t make sense to you, so you just said what you wanted to say without trying to understand them first. Maybe something else was going on. But whatever was going on, when people don’t understand you, it’s because you’re not listening.

- Marianne Powers

Free Hugs - Peru

Sunshine

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and follow where they lead.

- LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

Elvis Presley - If I Can Dream

Move Forward

Life is about movement and to continue to move forward. This keeps our energy as a constant – open to all of life’s opportunities. If we cease to move forward you will become idle and build a wall around us – close to any opportunity that could come into your life. So go forward and create opportunities for yourself.

- Kaoru

Jackpot

I recently posted an ad for an item on Craigslist. I had no idea someone had been in search of this item for most of his life. It seems like I have been holding onto this item since the day I acquired it for Brendan. Here is the email from Brendan describing his journey in finding this most cherished item. I firmly believe nothing is impossible if one believes.

Hi Kaoru,

Just a not-so-little bit of background for you . . . which you may find of interest.

Imagine that you regularly bought a Lotto ticket each week using the same numbers. You won the occasional small amount, then for a couple of weeks didn’t buy one only to find out that your winning numbers had scored the $20 million jackpot……

At the age of eight after some begging and carrying-on I convinced my parents to take me to my first non-G-rated movie –– AIRPORT ’’77. It showed in a grand atmospheric theater in Auckland (which still exists today) . . .

http://www.civictheatre.co.nz/home_index.html

Enough said that it made an impression on me.

Jump forward to 1983 when I discover that the Auckland City Library has back issues of the New York Times on microfilm…… of course I dive in and hunt for newspaper ads for the release of AIRPORT ‘‘77. I am enthralled to see that the US ads differed from the international ones in that, while they included the standard art of the plane resting underwater on a sandbank, they also showed new (to me) and exciting artwork of the plane crashing.

Years and years of hunting, goggling and e-Baying later I finally happened across an auction for a fold––up map brochure (in less than stellar condition) for the Universal Studios Tour which featured a mini-pic of this artwork on the front section measuring approx. 2-inches square. I was in hog heaven when I won the auction. However, in the back of my mind was a niggling question –– surely when the Airport ’’77 attraction opened it would have been featured in some way on the front of a Tour Program. I regularly checked e-Bay for such an artifact but failed to do so for a few weeks. Then one day I do a search and find an auction (from a deceased estate) that ended the week prior . . .

Little did I imagine that it would have had sole pride of place on the front cover! So, as you can see, I didn’t buy a Lotto ticket that week, and my numbers came in …….

The day before I did my e-Bay search I had been chatting with a work colleague and somehow Craigslist came up in the conversation . . . I had vaguely heard of the site before but didn't know much about it.

My colleague happened to have a DVD on them that they had just borrowed from a student of theirs (they have more than one job) called 24 HOURS ON CRAIGSLIST. Luckily part of my job involves examining the content of DVD's so I was able to view it while I caught up on some data checking.

Having discovered that my imagined holy grail actually existed, I fell into a bit of a funk upon realizing that to get it I would have to find someone who visited the Universal tour between 1977 and 1978, who had not discarded it and who was willing to part with it after all this time . . .

After exhausting every Google and used book search I remembered the Craigslist DVD and threw caution to the wind and posted a wanted ad for the program.

A few days later I decided to just check my ad to see that it was still there which I did by doing a search for "Universal Studios" and lo-and-behold I found your ad placed just three days later - a Free to boot! In gratitude I was, and am, more than happy to have been given the opportunity to offer you something for this item, and just wanted to let you know how much I truly appreciate your releasing this item to the universe.

It has also shown me the truth of the law of attraction at work! (five days from finding out it existed to securing a copy!).

Thanks again Kaoru.

Namaste
Brendan

I thought this was a very cool story and I wanted to share it with you.

- Kaoru

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!

- Anomymous

Johnny Mathis - Wonderful Wonderful

Monday, October 20, 2008

Gratitude

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.

- Northrup Christiane

Purpose in Life

Everyone has a purpose in life... a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.

- Deepak Chopra

Shalini Kantayya - First Sight

Reach

Reachin' up, reachin' high
Reachin' higher than the sky
Reachin' out for a goal you've never tried before
Push your body to the brink
You've got more strength than you think
You've got it in you, you're gonna make it if you try.

And when the going gets rough
And when the playing gets tough
Just keep on trying...
For life is a game and the aim is to succeed
And when you reach your dream, it's not the end
There's another goal beyond the bend...
Another race to run, another hill to climb
And you can do it all over again
"Cause you've got what it takes,
You've got what it takes to succeed.

Reachin' out - reachin' wide
Reachin' wider than the oceanside
Reachin' out to others to give and to receive
Put away your foolish pride
Let their counsel be your guide
And you can ride their strength
as you ride the ocean-tide


And when the strong winds blow
And when the waves lash below
You'll keep on sailing
For their strength is yours if you only will receive
And when they let you down
Don't let it get you down,
they're only human, just like you,
Leave the hurt behind
Look around, you'll find
You can love all over again
Because you've got what it takes,
You've got what it takes to give.

Reachin' down, deep inside
Into the hidden wealth of your mind
Where your thoughts and feelings and hopes and dreams abide...
You could come up with mud or slime
Or you could strike gold in time
In the dark you'll see your true self shining through.

And when problems surround you,
Don't let them confound you,
Look within you...
You know that steel is melted in the furnace before it's strong;
So work on your weakness, and build on your strengths
There's no end to what you can do
You've got a lot to give
You've got a lot to live
And you can do it all over again
'Cause you've got what it takes,
You've got what it takes to be you.

Reachin' up - reachin' higher
Reachin' out - reachin' wider
Reachin' in - deep within you
You can do it ...all over again
Because you've got what it takes
You've got what it takes to be you.

- Trixie Asirvatham

http://www.inspirationalecards.org

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Perfection

Gold cannot be pure, and people cannot be perfect.

- Chinese Proverb

The Golden Rule

We should treat others as we want to be treated

Inspirational Thoughts

Work hard at what you like to do and try to overcome all obstacles
Laugh at your mistakes and praise yourself for learning from them
Pick some flowers and appreciate the beauty of nature
Say hello to strangers and enjoy the people you know
Don't be afraid to show your emotions laughing and crying make you feel better
Love your friends and family with your entire being they are the most important part of your life
Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day
Find a rainbow and live your world of dreams always remember life is better than it seems

- Anonymous

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Saulo Couto - When You Wish Upon A Star

Past

You cannot change the past in the future, unless you begin in the present.

- Mr. Prophet

Faith

I will live my life as an expression of the principles I believe in: empower, inspire, lead, learn, love, forgive, have faith and live.

- Karl Karl Martino

You Are Special

Your presence is a present to the world;
You're unique and one of a kind;
Your life can be what you want it to be;
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles;
You'll make it through whatever comes along;
Within you are so many answers;
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself;
So many dreams are waiting to be realized;
Decisions are too important to leave to chance;
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying;
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets;
Don't take things too seriously;
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way;
Remember that a lot... goes forever;
Remember that friendship is a wise investment;
Life's treasures are people... together.

Realize that it's never too late;
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way;
Have health and hope and happiness;
Take the time to wish upon a star.
And don't ever forget...
Even for a day...
How very Special you are!

- Collin McCarty

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Inspiring Thoughts

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

- John Muir

Friend

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.

- Anonymous

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Sacred Spirit - May You Walk In Sunshine

Appreciate All That You Have

Once you master the art of seeing all that you have in life and appreciating it, then you will always be happy and troubles become insignificant.

- Kaoru

Heart

In a heart-centered life -- acquiring more things, more status and more recognition lose significance, while beauty as given, wonder as given, wisdom as given and laughter as given greatly gain significance.

- Laura Teresa Marquez

The Magic of Words

The magic of words is that they have power to do more than convey meaning; not only do they have the power to make things clear, they make things happen.

- Frederick Buechner

张燕 - 美丽神奇的地方

A Beautiful and Mysterious Place

Cheer Yourself Up

The best way you can cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up.

- Mark Twain

Chinese Music Video

Nature

Sympathy with nature is part of a good person's religion.

- Francis Herbert Hedge

I Believe

I believe that nothing in life is unimportant
Every moment can be a beginning
And a time for decision,
Taken against the constant background of one's faith
Each word and gesture - whether it comes from our
Strength or our weakness
May change the subsequent course of our life
And the lives of those around us.

- John McLeod

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Bad Luck or Unworthiness

Bad Luck or Unworthiness is a thought one associates with disappointment. This becomes the behavior when responding to these feelings. By doing so, you’re empowering this thought to be true and you’re distancing yourself from believing anything good can come into your life.

Overcome this feeling with a Positive thought and project confidence. Adjust your behavior and try not to fall on this old behavior of you thinking you have “Bad Luck” or that you’re “Unworthy.” You are the only one in control of your destiny. So change those old behaviors and make each thought count for the best possible life.

- Kaoru

Kitaro - Passage Through Life

How to Love Yourself

Take a realistic evaluation of yourself. Be honest with yourself about how valuable you believe you are as a person. The way you see yourself and treat yourself is the very way others will see you and treat you. Do you see yourself as valuable, worthy of the gift of love? More importantly, do you treat yourself lovingly and as a valuable being? It’s ok to be truthful with yourself, it may not be pretty! Awareness is the first and more powerful step on the path to change!

Forgive yourself if you ever believe you aren't worthy of love. After all, there were probably things in your childhood or previous years that created that belief for you. It simply isn’t true; every being on this planet is worthy of love, after all, love is what we are here for, it’s what it’s all about. Say to yourself now; “I forgive myself for believing that I was not worthy of love.” Go look in a mirror and say it out loud to yourself, look yourself right in the eyes and say it like you mean it. Go on, I’ll wait.

Post this affirmation up someplace where you will see it each and every day; "I have the courage to believe that I am worthy of love." Read it out loud, every day, at least once, ideally at least ten times each time you notice it. Sticky notes are fabulous for affirmations.

Take action and make those words real. Begin loving and valuing yourself. It is said that you cannot give away what you do not have. So, if you are not able to love and accept yourself unconditionally, how in the world are you going to love and accept anyone else unconditionally? Much less accept that love in return from them?
Remember that love is not a feeling, it is a choice! Make the choice to love yourself. After all, who deserves it more? The more loving you are to yourself, the more loving you will be able to be to everyone around you. Family and friends will especially benefit from this. Make a choice to come from a place of love for yourself and for everyone who is important in your life.

Think about what you need to fill that emptiness inside, that place that is longing for love. What specifically do you need? Find the answer and then give it to yourself. No one is more capable of loving you, and giving you exactly what you need than you are! When you learn how to fulfill yourself in that way, you stop searching for it outside of yourself and you suddenly begin attracting it to you! You change yourself from a sponge to a magnet! People see you radiating self love and they are drawn to you!

Keep a journal. Write about your experiences, good and bad. When you write down your good experiences allow yourself to feel those good feelings again. When you remember the bad experiences, allow yourself to feel pride. Pride because you faced a challenge in your life and you are here today to write about it, which must mean you are a survivor and a fighter. Tell yourself, "I know pain, but I've yet to be introduced to surrender." Keep on keeping on.

http://www.wikihow.com/Love-Yourself

We all deserve to be happy in life! You just have to believe it.

- Kaoru

Kindness - An Unconditional Gift

In the quest to create a gentler, more loving world, kindness is the easiest tool we can use. Though it is easy to overlook opportunities to be kind, our lives are replete with situations in which we can be helpful, considerate, thoughtful, and friendly to loved ones and associates, as well as strangers. The touching, selfless acts of kindness that have the most profoundly uplifting effects are often the simplest: a word of praise, a gentle touch, a helping hand, a gesture of courtesy, or a smile. Such small kindnesses represent an unconditional, unrestricted form of love that we are free to give or withhold at will. When you give the gift of kindness, whether in the form of assistance, concern, or friendliness, your actions create a beacon of happiness and hope that warms people's hearts.

The components of kindness are compassion, respect, and generosity. Put simply, kindness is the conscious act of engaging others in a positive way without asking whether those individuals deserve to be treated kindly. All living beings thrive on kindness. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person's entire world around. Holding a door or thanking someone who has held a door for you can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts. Smiling at people you meet-even those who make you feel like frowning-can turn a dreary encounter into a delightful one, for both of you. Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed said act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged. Kindness brings about more kindness and slowly but surely takes a positive toll on humanity.

Weaving the thread of kindness into your everyday life can be as easy as choosing to offer a hearty "Good morning" and "Good night" to your coworkers or neighbors, a stranger on the street, or the grocery store clerk. When you commit a kind act, you are momentarily disconnected from your ego and bonded with the individual who has benefited from your kindness. Being fully present in each moment of your life facilitates kindness as it increases your awareness of the people around you. You'll discover that each act of kindness you engage in makes the world, in some small way, a better place.

http://www.dailyom.com

Monday, October 13, 2008

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People

Because it helps them to see how to make this world a better place. Because that’s what separates the truly good people from those who only think they are good people. Bad things happen to good people because it is a necessary part of making a good person great.

- Al at 7P

http://7pproductions.com/blog/2008/01/07/why-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/

Happiness & Wisdom

The key to a happier world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.

- Dalai Lama

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Inspiring People to Love Unconditionally

Never Let Go of Hope

One day
you will see
that it all
has finally come together.

What you have
always wished for
has finally come to be.

You will look back
and laugh at what has passed
and you will ask yourself,
"How did I get through all of that?"

Just
never let go of hope.
Just
never quit dreaming.
And
never let love
depart from your life.

- Jancarl Campi

The Grace of Unconditional Love

New Beginning

Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.

- Marsha Petrie Sue

Take This Moment Right Here and Now

Negative Energy is a Distraction

Replace negative energy, from your mind and heart. Always radiate positive energy with goodness, kindness, love, hope and determination.

Negative energy is a distraction that drains your positive energy. It takes longer to build positive energy, so be mindful of how your use your energy.

The stronger your energy becomes you will radiate positive energy and you will find people will become drawn to you.

- Kaoru

Friday, October 10, 2008

The Miracle Network

You never know how your actions will impact another person’s life. I started emailing inspirational quotes to a friend. She told me she liked getting them, so it become a daily routine for me. I had no idea what would happen if I missed a couple days in sending them.

Days later I made a visit to her office. She asked why I stopped sending the inspirational quotes? I told her I’ve been busy and didn't have a chance to send any out. She said what you don’t know is that there’s a group of people who look forward in receiving those quotes.

Kaoru, each time you send me one of those quotes I send it out to my co-workers and friends. They’ve come to expect seeing them each day. Now you know what you've started.

From that moment on I called this network "The Miracle Network" and believe it or not, I’m still sending out those inspirational quotes.

Susan, thanks for passing the word and making a difference.

- Kaoru

Worthwhile Accomplishments

The only worthwhile accomplishments are not those we achieve outwardly but the victories we win over ourselves.

- Omar Khayyam

Ying sent this quote to me.

42 Ways to Celebrate and Enjoy Life.

Beautiful Things

We were made to enjoy music, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, to enjoy looking at the billows of the sea and to be thrilled with a rose that is bedecked with dew… Human beings are actually created for the transcendent, for the sublime, for the beautiful, for the truthful... and all of us are given the task of trying to make this world a little more hospitable to these beautiful things.

- Bishop Desmond Tutu

Joy

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.

- Marcel Proust

This Moment

This moment is the most important moment in your life. The choices and the actions you choose right now will define your fate.

- Kaoru

Blog Post: Operation NICE

This is a very inspiring site with such a strong message in making the difference in all our lives. All it takes is being NICE.

http://www.operationnice.com

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Happy People

Happy people roll with the punches. They know from experience that
everything changes. Today's good fortune may vanish tomorrow,
today's crises may turn out to be tomorrow's good fortune.

- Anomymous

Enya - Orinoco Flow

Blessings

May your troubles be less, your happiness more and nothing but blessings come through your door.

– By Renee Locks

Shift Your Energy

If things don’t seem to be going right and you want to change your path. Try removing attachment and release any emotion you usually attach to this behavior. Like if you want or desire something – just let it go and let your mind be fluid like water. Let life unfold before you and don’t disrupt it with attachment. If you can do this you will create a shift in your energy and allow opportunity in your life. This means having to put your faith in the Universe.

- Kaoru

Flying In A Lucid Dream

Inspire to Trust

As I sat eating my lunch, I looked out the window to the drive-thru lane outside. I watched a woman in her car leave the window counting her money as she drove off.

A few minutes later the women I had watched drive off had walked up to the counter. My first impression was that she was given the incorrect change. I think that’s what the person thought, when she saw the woman march up to her.

Then the woman reached out with a dollar bill in her hand. She said “you gave me a dollar too much.” The person behind the counter looked at her in disbelief, then her face quickly turned to one being very grateful.

I thought it was a great moment between two people. I found it inspiring to believe in trust and that there are still good people in this world who will make the right choice.

- Kaoru

Nature

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Do You Have an Inspirational Story to Share?

If you have an inspirational story and would like to share it, please email it to me. If you would just like to say hi or share your thoughts about this blog, feel free to do so. Send them to: steppingintosunshine@gmail.com

Peace and Happiness,
Kaoru

Giving Meaning to Life

In a world so often cruel and uninteresting, music, poetry, and the arts in general, are a way of giving meaning to life.

- Anonymous

Self Growth

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

- William S. Burroughs

Words of Wisdom - Inspirational Quotes

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Know Your Future

If you want to know the past, to know what has caused you, look at yourself in the PRESENT, for that is the past's effect. If you want to know your future, then look at yourself in the PRESENT, for that is the cause of the future.

- Majjhima Nikaya

Encouragement

When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.

- Edward Teller

Friend

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.

- Barbara Kingsolver

Monday, October 6, 2008

The Rainbow Connection

Given the Power

You are not ever given a wish without also being given the power to make it true.

- Richard bach

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Japanese Folk Song - Sakura

Everything Happens for a Reason

Everything happens for a reason in life. There are no accidents or coincidences. It is as it is... each moment perfect in every way.

- Kaoru

The Life Beautiful

True Beauty is Revealed

People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within.

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Pointing Out Good Qualities

I believe in building people up and pointing out their good qualities to them. Sometimes if we hear someone recognize these qualities in us, it reconfirms who we are and encourages us to continue our path of who we are destined to be.

- Kaoru

Friday, October 3, 2008

Thunderstorm - Time Lapse

Your Own Path

You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.

- Jerry Gillies

Angels

We can all be angels to one another. We can choose to obey the still small stirring within, the little whisper that says, Go. Ask. Reach out. Be an answer to some one's plea. You have a part to play. Have faith. We can decide to risk that He is indeed there, watching, caring, cherishing us as we love and accept love. The world will be a better place for it. And wherever they are, the angels will dance.

- Joan Wester Anderson

www.joanwanderson.com

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He became famous outside Hawaiʻi when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow." Although he is gone his music will always live with us.

The Heart

The little space within the heart is as great as the vast universe. The heavens and the earth are there, and the sun and the moon and the stars. Fire and lightning and winds are there, and all that now is and all that is not.

-The Upanishads

599 Productions - Time Lapse

Life passes by that quickly and it is this beautiful.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Life

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

- Mother Teresa
Catholic Nun, Missionary
Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

A Smile

A smile costs nothing, but gives much.
It enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None is so rich or mighty
that he can get along without it.
A smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters good will in business,
and is the countersign of friendship.

It brings rest to the weary,
cheer to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad,
and it is natures best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged,
borrowed, or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value
to anyone until it is given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours,
as none needs a smile so much
as he who has no more to give.

http://www.lovethissite.com

Changing Our Thinking

The world we have created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.

- Albert Einstein