Where's the Inspiration?

To me, inspiration comes from the way I look at life. Things around me are inspiring. They cause me to see and learn from them. To some people, they see the ordinary, but, to me, I see beauty.

I think of the cup as half full - not half empty. I have hope. I choose to see the bright side - the positive - and the good. I see the other side too (the dark side - the negative - and the bad) but I don't focus on it.

Things have inspired me for a long as I can remember. I have thought deeply and philosophically since being a young girl.

I've read many inspirational books and have heard even more motivational things. When the moment arises for something inspirational to be said..a quote, phrase, or story comes to my mind and I relay it.

The Ant Philosophy

by Jim Rohn

Over the years I've been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept: the ant philosophy. I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they'll look for another way. They'll climb over, they'll climb under and they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go.

Second, ants think winter in the summer. That's an important perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So the ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer.

An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because it's important to be realistic. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead.

The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here." And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can't wait to get out.

And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy: the "all-that-you-possibly-can" philosophy.

Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go to www.jimrohn.com. Go to www.jimrohn.com to review the complete Jim Rohn archive of articles, Vitamins for the Mind and Q and A. Originally published in Messages from the Masters.

My Sister's Photographs

My sister's pictures really touch me. I love them no matter whether they include people, animals, wildlife, or nature.

She takes a lot of pictures of nature and wildlife. Whatever she shoots, her pictures tell me a story.

 Here are some of my favorites:

Birds of a feather flock together

Full Moon

Light in the Aspens

Barn

Circle of Life

Claire

Cool Tree

Dad

Fall Colors in Salem

Going on a Worm Hunt

Halloweenee

A Curiosity in the Street

Dusk

Vivid Rainbow

New Life

Novell Reflection

Salem Days

Silverton River

Sophie

Joshua Tree

Sun Spots

Texas Sunset

Tree Way