LIFE, WISDOM, VALUES, INSIGHT QUOTES

Mark Twain: "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."

Kirbyjon Caldwell "Anger is unprocessed pain" (Brian K. Rice: This is why it is important to separate yourself from the situation for a period of time so you can process the pain before you respond out of emotion. You do not want a person acting out of anger when they can act out of reason)

Albert Einstein: "If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough."

Roscoe Snowden: "There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself." (Brian K. Rice: The two cowards are regular acquaintances among most of us, so many people are afraid: to be different, to take risks, to speak up when something is out of line, to stand up when there needs to be a leader.)

Brian K. Rice: The old Chinese Proverb is incomplete "Feed a man and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" (Now it is time to take that saying and those actions to the next level. We need you to "Teach the man how to raise his fish and own his pond and you feed others for a lifetime." This is especially true for social entrepreneurs. inspired by Glen Warren)

Thomas Dreier: "When you find a man who knows his job and is willing to take responsibility, keep out of his way and don't bother him with unnecessary supervision." (Brian K . Rice: Managers, your unnecessary supervision can easily become interference)

Dale Carnegie: "If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive." (Brian K. Rice: If you ever plan to lead people learn how to address the problem without condemning and criticizing the individual and you will get a better outcome in most cases. If you want something from someone don't tear them down and then expect them too look out for your best interest later. Treat your people properly.)

Myles Munroe: "Anger is the key to change. You will never change what you tolerate." (Brian K. Rice: Anger is a feeling of great annoyance. It causes you to become as hot as sparks. Every great leader decided that they could no longer tolerate the biggest issues around them. If the emotion of Anger is used properly you will be able to make great change. If the passion of Anger is used wrong, you will make decisions that you will regret.)

Myles Munroe: Things Destroying Us: (1) Politics without Principles (2) Pleasure without Conscience (3) Wealth without Work (4) Knowledge without Character (5) Business without Morality (6) Science without Humanity (7) Worship without Sacrifice

Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Pull the string, and it will follow you wherever you go. Push the string and it will go nowhere" (Brian K. Rice: Are you wasting effort & trying to direct your future but you are going the wrong way? or Are you not using any effort & hoping you go in the right direction? Pick up that string which is the steering wheel to the reality of your future & direct it where you want your future to go.)

"Many of us have fallen asleep at the switch" (Brian K. Rice: The light was turned when we were born and the light does not go out until we die. You are in charge of switching the tracks as you travel through life like the railroad switchman to avoid the upcoming collision. Many however are traveling through life asleep.)

‎"When the past calls, let it go to voicemail. It has nothing new to say." –Anonymous

Cornel West: "many of us are like hamsters in a wheel." Brian K. Rice: Many companies give us more to do, pay us less and we continue on the hamster's wheel and in many cases they make hard to get off of the wheel. Many working for themselves also do more and more and it seems like the reward is the same regardless of how much they think they are doing.)

Henrik Ibsen: "Rob the average man of his illusions and you rob him of his happiness" (Brian K. Rice: What are the illusions in your life? is it that house that you scraping by to afford, that car, your current friends, your associates, those clothes you continue to buy and not need, your church, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your wife or husband, your family, your weekly routine, etc... )

Arabian Proverb: "He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him. He who knows not and knows that he knows not is simple; teach him. He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him. He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him." (There are people you need to avoid, teach, help or follow ~by Brian K. Rice)

"A wise old owl sat on an oak, the more he saw the less he spoke, the less he spoke the more he heard, why can't we be like that wise old bird" Arabic Proverb (too often we feel like we have to say stuff, sometimes it is just best to observe and listen ~by Brian K. Rice )

MLK Quote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." (It takes a whole lot to do what is right sometimes because it can be the opposite of what you feel ~by Brian K. Rice)

Ernest Gaines: "Sometimes you have to plow under one thing in order for something else to grow." (Let that bad relationship go, change your circle of friends, find a new circle of influence, change your habits, quit holding on to that one thing that you have wanted to let go for a while but have not. I believe there is too much fear out there and that is why people hold on to what they do not want. ~by Brian K. Rice)

Brian K. Rice: "Nobody will remember your bland presentation or your bland cooking but they will remember you for your flavor which is your creativity, your spice which is your energy level & your plate arrangement which is your first or last impression. (Don't be scared to polarize those around you. Go all out & impress your target. This goes for the entrepreneur, significant other, your boss, that speech...)

Scott Hamilton: "The only true disability in life is a bad attitude" (Brian K. Rice: Your attitude can handicap you more than anything else in life. Be open to constructive criticism. Lift others up with daily words of encouragement. Give more than you take. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Smile as often as you can. Try to remain optimistic & positive in tough times. Create an aura to be admired)

Alex Haley: "Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you." (Brian K. Rice: I know there is something within your reality that bothers you daily or every so often & its time to deal with it. That reality may be your kids, your significant other, your parents or in-
laws, not enough pay, not enough time for family, your health, your attitude, your sins, etc...)

William James: "The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. As you think, so shall you be."

Oprah Winfrey: "Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream." (Brian K. Rice: Your true worth comes from how you value and see yourself. Live your life like you are the dream. Live with boldness. Live with assertiveness. Live with confidence. If you are naturally shy or reserved, break that habit temporarily when it is time for you to pursue the dreams within you. What do you have to lose.)

Oscar Wilde: "Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much" (Brian K. Rice: this philosophy worked for Ghandi during India's independence, MLK during civil rights, Mandela during apartheid and most certainly Jesus on the cross when he said the words "forgive them for they know not what they do." It is not easy but if you make it obvious to those that hate you, you may make a significant change.)

J. Ables: "If you are going to be monkey, you may as well be a gorilla." (Brian K. Rice: If you are going to be a cat you may as well be a lion. If you are going to make a difference, you may as well make as big of an impact as you can. If you are going after what you want you may as well go all the way or go back home. If you are going to knock on the door, you may as well pound on the door. BE BOLD)

Lord Chesterfield: "The less one has to do, the less time one tends to find" (Brian K. Rice: It is amazing how some people can accomplish so much in one day while many can't find time to be productive. What did you accomplish today or last week? If you can look back over the past few days or weeks & there are no victories, then you need to change whatever you are doing to capture those small victories.)

Brian K. Rice: "Some great actors do not get a chance to get the starring role but you on the other hand have the starring role to a major production called Life" (What you do with it, is up to you? In this major production your friends and family and those you help are the ones who decide if you get an Oscar or not. With faithful and spirit filled living you get the greatest award of eternal life.)

Mother Teresa: "Mother Teresa: "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. (Brian K. Rice: It is not about what others think: Succeed Anyway, Forgive Anyway, Be Happy & Sincere Anyway, Be Kind Anyway. Create Anyway.)

Chinese Proverb: "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back" (Brian K. Rice: some of those coming back will be those who failed and others coming back will be those who succeeded. You can learn a lot from each, whether through observations or through questions. Oh, one last thing, be cautious of the bitter failures because they will make it seem like the road is impossible)

Chinese Proverb: “After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless” (Brian K. Rice: Feed your brain. Fuel your thoughts with reading. Many people don't read for weeks, months, or years if at all & they repeat the same conversations over & over & over & they have no idea. The person with no new thoughts may be you. When you decide to read more, read from a variety of topics or remain stagnant.)

Arabian Proverb: "Know each other as if you were brothers. Negotiate deals as if you were strangers." NLT Proverbs 6:1-4 "My child... if you guaranteed the debt of a stranger... follow my advice & save yourself... Now swallow your pride; go & beg to have your name erased... Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do." (Don't go into business with strangers & treat all business appropriately, even family)

Persian Proverb: "He who wants a rose must respect the thorns" (Brian K. Rice: Most people want the rose but do not want what comes with it. Respect the work for your success. What kind of thorns are you bringing pretty lady? What kind of thorns are you willing to endure for what you want? Don't overlook the thorns, respect the thorns.)

Italian Proverb: "grasp all, lose all" (Brian K. Rice: Grasp nothing, get nothing, grasp all, lose all, grasp something, get something. Many of us fall into the 2 extremes where we grasp nothing or try to grasp too much. Most people, I believe grasp at nothing and want something in return. Decide what you need to grasp and grasp it. Figure out what too much is and leave it alone or pass it along.)

Brian K. Rice inspired by Norman Lear: "Every time you throw a rock in the lake you will see a ripple and soon the water rises as the rock settles on the bottom even though you can't see it. Its your job to make the ripple. It's your job to make the change no matter how small it may be."

Chinese Proverbs: "Deal with the faults of others as gently as your own" (Brian K. Rice: (1) Never lose sight that you have faults too. THE END.

Do you know someone that has the Peter Pan syndrome that never wants to grow up? As Toy-R-Us would say; "I don't wanna grow up, I want to be a Toys-R-Us kid." (Brian K. Rice: We have men & women stuck in the video game world, the playboy & playgirl world, lack of responsibility world, barbie fantasy world, the party world, and the daydream world. It is time for them to grow up & step into the right role.)

Brian K. Rice: The next time you are near a friend. Start tapping anywhere on your cheeks and tell them to touch their chin. Almost in every case, I bet your friend taps their cheek instead of their chin. We model wait we see. Our youth, model what they see, not what you say. Adults are no different. Be careful, be conscious of how you live and be conscious of the images you put out.

‎"This too shall pass" ( Brian K. Rice: A lot of people are going through tough times. You may be putting in a lot of hours as you prepare for something big in your life. You may have lost everything in a recent storm. You may be unemployed. You may be facing bankruptcy. You may be facing sickness. You may be facing failure. You may be facing a major mistake. This too shall pass.)

Proverbs 16:22 "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success" (Brian K. Rice: Don't try to do it all by yourself)

Brian K. Rice: "We want to push people forward and not into corners." (It is easy to offend people so be cautious. Don't be over critical. Balance the negative reinforcement with the positive reinforcement. Lift people up and don't pull people down. Talk to people as you would like to be spoken too with respect and consideration. Get ready for leadership and lead.)

‎"When the past calls, let it go to voicemail. It has nothing new to say." –Anonymous

Oprah: "Fear itself cannot touch you."

Brian K. Rice: Let's be honest. Do people copy and imitate the clothing styles of celebrities? Do people imitate the language of those they see on TV and hear through song? So, if that is the case, want our kids and other adults copy the violence and the huge market for negativity that is placed in movies, in TV shows, through the news, on the radio and in print media? Be mindful of what others put in our minds.

B Rice: just a thought to think about; "How many of you are just rented out on a weekly basis by our jobs? if you are not charging a high enough rent for yourself then you are most certainly undervaluing your true worth and there is something else you should be doing. Are you only worth a few dollars an hour? Hey, salary people, are you only worth a few thousand a year? oh, my bad you dont want to be compared to rent

Ancient Greek edict: "Know Thy Self" (Brian K Rice: knowledge of oneself is the beginning of real knowledge. Know your capabilities. Know your flaws. Know your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Know what you are willing to sacrifice. Know your goals. Know your purpose...)

Brian K. Rice: How many of us are just living administrative lives? Outside of a paycheck, how many of us are working a job where we just input miscellaneous information we were trained to input that provides little to no value for things we believe are important in this world? There is so much more to life and I truly believe too many people overlook their worth and importance.

Aubrey Miller: “Walk your walk in such a way you do not have to talk"

Aubrey Miller: "Create memories worth remembering" (Brian K. Rice: Another year has passed and time continues to tick, so be mindful of the life you are passing up. Did you create enough memories worth remembering over the last year? Did you create any memories worth remembering and if not what did you do?)

B Rice "I believe there is only one thing that separates smart people from dumb people- the smart person chooses to learn and the dumb person chooses not to learn" (When people tell me that I am smart, I look at them like they have boogers hanging from their nose because I realize we all have the power to learn. God gave all of us a powerful brain. I am still that 9th grader who was not expected to make it by others)

Chuck Palahniuk: "The best way to waste your life, is by taking notes." (Brian K. Rice: Get over that fear and step in and become active. Quit admiring others and become someone to be admired. GET MOVING!)

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows. If I fail, if I succeed; At least I'll live as I believe; No matter what they take from me; They can't take away my dignity" Whitney Houston-Greatest Love of All

‎"Character makes the person, and character cannot be purchased. Too many people try to buy self worth. They never quite can." (Brian K. Rice: this statement was written in "Come on People!" by Cosby & Poussaint to address people who try and prove themselves to others by what they own and the sad part about this, is that most people own worthless materials as they try and impress others.)

Mama may have Papa may have. But God bless the child that's got his own. That's got his own (Brian K. Rice: We can't live in our parents world & this goes for the successful & the unsuccessful. We have to be accountable for our own actions.) (I remember in high school how we as teens unconsciously & consciously judged our peers by their parents perceived success, which is a shame & it still goes on today

African Proverb "it does not take a courageous dog to bark at the bones of a dead lion" (Brian K. Rice: there are a lot of people that like to make a lot of noise but have very little courage to step up and fight real battles.)

We have to stop letting our jobs become the symbol of who we are. They are simply jobs, just a way to provide income for the necessities of life. What is the first or second question everyone asks? So, What do you do for a living? We have too many people who get caught up into this. Sista/Brotha, a job does not make a man

Brian K. Rice: "Everybody dies, but everybody does not really live"

Henrietta Szold:  "There is no ending that is not a beginning"

Brian K Rice when it comes to people, it is like cutting grass, some people cut the yard and make sure it looks okay from the street and then you have other people concerned about every detail who put flowers in places people can't see.

Law 41 "Avoid Stepping Into a Great Man's Shoes"

Law 36: Ignore Things You Cannot Have; a quick discussion about "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene

Law 29) "Plan All The Way To The End"

Law 23) "Concentrate Your Forces" (Conserve your forces and energies by keeping them concentrated at their strongest point. You gain more by finding a rich mine and mining it deeper, than by flitting from one shallow mine to another; intensity defeats extensity every time.) {Single mindedness of purpose, total concentration on goal} What are your thoughts?

Law 16) "Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor" (Too much circulation makes the price go down. The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear. If you are already established in a group, temporary withdrawal from it will make you more talked about, even more admired. You must learn when to leave. Create value through scarcity.) "48 Laws of Power" by R. Greene

Law 7) "Get Others To Do The Work For You, But Take The Credit" Use the knowledge and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a great aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers may be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you.

Law 6) “Court Attention At All Cost" Everything is judged by appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colorful, more mysterious than the bland and timid masses. Follow my wall as I discuss The 48 Laws of Power by R Greene.

Law 3) “Conceal Your Intentions" Keep people off balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down (a strategic path)..., envelop them in smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late. Follow my wall as I discuss The 48 Laws of Power by R Greene.

Brian K. Rice: We all are human and there are different areas that each one of us struggle with whether with race or in relationships. Obama made this statement in reference to racism so when you feel you are picking a side just because, take a step back and ask yourself is it right, regardless of how you have been treated previously.

Chinese Proverb: "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." (Brian K. Rice: It is easy to curse & talk down about your tough situation. It is easy to talk against what you do not have. It is easy to curse the negatives that keep you in the dark. Step back from your negative thoughts & think about a solution. Think hard on how to light a candle of light. Think differently & discover your opportunity.)

Latoya Jones: "Don't major in the minors" (Brian K. Rice: Stop spending so much time focusing on the minors in your life that bring very little in return for you. Many of us are living a stagnant life, focusing on yesterdays majors that have loss there rank due to personal maturity and experience. Pick a new major for your life as you experience personal growth, like you pick a college degree.)

Russian Proverb: "When you meet a man, you judge him by his clothes; when you leave a man, you judge him by his heart." (Brian K. Rice: People will continue to fool themselves as long as they judge on outer appearance. This quote speaks to more than just clothes, it speaks of other material things such as the car, the job, and the house that he or she may have. Examine the heart as soon as you can.)

Italian Proverb: "Beware of the person with nothing to lose" (Brian K. Rice: The person with nothing to lose is most of us but there is nothing to beware. I wish more people were hungry for their future but they are scared to lose the little bit which is almost nothing. Beware of the successful man than comes from little, because he understands where he came from and the obstacles he overcame.)

Lebanese Proverb: "Lower your voice and strengthen your argument" (Brian K. Rice: A lot of people like to be first & like to be the loudest when it is not necessary. A calm voice can speak louder than the loudest of people. The person who speaks last has the privilege of using the words of those who went before them to strengthen their argument. Note: Sometimes people dig their own traps.)

Jim Collins: "The opposite of good is great" (Brian K. Rice: Most people would probably think the opposite of great is bad. How many of us settle for being good? Ask someone how they are doing today & most likely they will tell you that they are doing good. Most people may even characterize their job as a good job but few people seek greatness and demand greatness in their lives. Why settle & be good? BE GREAT!)

Unknown: "they say within 16 days people will forget 95 percent of what you said so make an impact with the other 5 percent" (Brian K. Rice: set yourself apart, say something that will stick, say something that people will remember you for. If you are selling yourself or your company say something that will definitely set you apart from your competition)

‎"If it's to be, it's up to me." (Brian K. Rice: Figure out what "it" is to you and make it come to fruition. Don't wait around for someone else. Don't waste too much time talking about what you want, just figure out how to do it and do it. "It" may be a childhood dream or a business dream or a family dream or a weight loss dream or a humanitarian dream or a career dream or a lingering thought in your mind)

Italian Proverb: "A candle losses nothing by lighting another candle" (Brian K. Rice: A lot of people want extend their light in fear that their light will be snuffed out. Light several candles around you and see the blessings come back to you. Oh, so you are selfish now. You made it, but you want help no one. Oh, you are too good for the little people. You become the big boss & you want even try to lift someone up.)

Brian K. Rice: "Life is sometimes about Justice & Mercy, sometimes you have to be a coach, sometimes you have to react with the appropriate punishment, sometimes you have to show mercy & give someone a 2nd chance & in some cases multiple chances. Great leaders understand when to choose one over the other because you cannot fire everyone for making a mistake or you will have no staff or team."

Brian K. Rice: "Some people give no value to your own time, some people will belittle your ideas, some people will discount you because of your age, ethnic background, educational credentials but you have to value yourself, you have to show humility when you do not want too, you may not have their credentials but your wisdom comes from a source older than everything, keep striving & keep believing"

Griffith WF Still: "Being authentic means being true to ourselves, for life is a gift & we are gifts to each other. In this personal reflection, we can look upon one another with new eyes, & celebrate all that we are, & all that we are yet to be." (Brian K. Rice: Celebrate the people in your life & there differences because they help mold you. Realize that life is a gift to you. Realize that you are a gift to others)

Brian K. Rice: "Perception is not always reality but sometimes significant people think it is." (So, if you put yourself in a situation that you can not explain or justify, then don't put yourself in that situation. A lot of innocent people have been found guilty because they could not justify the situation. This especially goes for couples with trust issues but it also applies to many other areas of life.)

Brian K. Rice: "You do not have to have much to be thankful for what you have" (I remember a few years ago when a homeless guy would come into my restaurant and we would talk daily about different things and then one day he opened my eyes to how he had found happiness in his homeless world and he was thankful and full of peace because he had everything he needed. Be thankful for what you have.)

Dorothy Canfield Fisher: "Subdue your appetites and you've conquered human nature." (Brian K. Rice: This statement is true for personal health, lusting after persons whom we are not married too, our desire to want more money without ever controlling appetites for spending & power that some seek that places them on pedestals & they lose the common touch with people under them. Take a look at yourself.)

MLK "the time is always right to do what is right"

Andrew Jackson: "Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, STOP THINKING and GO IN." (Brian K. Rice: I know many people who have been thinking and deliberating among themselves for too long about what they want to do. Only a few of them have stop deliberating & thinking long enough to step in to the world they wish for. Don't let fear scare you away.)

Oscar Wilde: "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." (Brian K. Rice: nobody can love you better than you. Yea, there are going to be days when others pick you up but it's up to you, how you treat yourself daily. Give yourself that needed break, that needed self reflection, that needed attention, that needed hard work. Love & respect yourself enough so no one else can take advantage of you.)

Edmund Wilson: "He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery"

Martin Luther King, Jr: "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."

'One': "One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself or anyone else is inspiration" (With inspiration you empower 'Imagination' and 'Will'. When was the last time you inspired someone to believe in themselves or believe in their dreams or believe in faith? ~by Brian K. Rice)

Frederick Douglass: "When men sow the wind it is rational to expect that they will reap the whirlwind." (What are you sowing? What do you expect to happen if you continue on the same path you are on? It is time to determine what you want and sow the right seed. What are you doing with your extra time? It may be time to cut out 1 hour of your sleep to do more work for you if you are too busy otherwise. ~by Brian K. Rice)

Maya Angelou- Phenomenal Woman: "Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me." (My thoughts: Finding a Phenomenal woman is a mystery ~ Brian K. Rice)

Oprah: "Fear itself cannot touch you. But if you allow your fear to seep into your mind and overtake your thoughts, it will rob you of your life." (Rosa Parks:"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.") (I believe many people know what the bible says about fear but they really don't apply those words ~ by Brian K. Rice)

Josephine Baker: "I'm not intimidated by anyone. Everyone is made with two arms, two legs, a stomach and a head. Just think about that." (This is bigger than just intimidation, I know many people who put others on pedestals for example: I see church folks worshiping their pastors more than the word by treating them as idols and they can't even see it. Be careful on how you look at others. ~by Brian K. Rice)

"You may be deceived if you trust too much and you may miss out if you don't trust enough" (there will come a time when you will have to trust someone. Several years ago I put too much trust in a business partner. He gave up too soon, took out credit cards & cell phones in my name without my knowledge. Make sure their talk lines up with their walk. Talk is cheap, so be careful in any type of relationship) ~ by Brian K. Rice

"learn to forgive & move on" (when wronged, it’s ok to be disappointed but stored anger and hate is only going to affect you internally, the other person usually has moved on. Sometimes it is a test to see your power to forgive or see how you manage anger & sometimes some people just need to be removed from your circle for your growth. We are forgiven for a lot but we hold on to unforgiveness too often.) ~by Brian K. Rice

7 National Crimes: (1) I don't think. (2) I don't know (3) I don't care. (4) I am too busy. (5) I leave well enough alone. (6) I have no time to read and find out. (7) I am not interested. by William J. H. Boetcker

"Character, not circumstances, makes the man.” What type of Character do people see in you? (Booker T Washington)

"Alcohol makes a man more pleased with himself; It does not make him more pleasing to others." (by Samuel Johnson)

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is a result of long and patient effort in self control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. James Allen every day I am going to learn one new quote and apply it to my life because I have to continue growing (James Allen)

"Living healthy is not like an extended vacation" (Avoid the common health problems. It is time replace a little extra sleep in the morning or nap in the evening or TV for exercise. Look good and feel good by saying no to the extra rest, junk food, sweets, fried foods, sodas, sweet drinks, alcohol, etc... If you want do it for you, do it for your child or your significant other. Make healthy living a lifestyle.) by Brian K. Rice

Cephas Archie: "You are more than what you have become"

Abraham Lincoln: “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

Brian K. Rice: Our lives shall be about purpose. Our lives shall have balance between friendships, family, love, work, rest, recreation, sacrifice, trials, risk, giving, receiving, and faith. (Create great friendships, develop great family bonds, love as HE has instructed, work like the ants, rest as needed, balance your work with fun and recreation, sacrifice the less important things in life, develop yourself through your trials, take risk, give more than you receive, and have faith in Him.)

Albert Einstein: "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." (Brian K. Rice: Let that little boy or girl know that if they can imagine it, then they are already ahead of the rest. Encourage that little boy or girl to use their imagination. Encourage that little boy or girl to push the limits of their mind. Encourage that little boy or girl through adulthood and you will see great accomplishments through them)

Khalid: "Your blood may be flowing but is your heart pumping" (Brian K. Rice: What are you doing with your heart? Do you have a heart for others? Are you cold or warm on the inside? Are you selfish and self-centered or SELFLESS? Is your heart pumping or is your blood just flowing? Come on...)

Claud Anderson: "Those who are afraid of their own shadow must live in the shade" (Brian K. Rice: Do all you can to live upright so you don't have to hide anything. Yes, this is easier said than done but each of us need to try and better ourselves so we can live without the cover of darkness. Do whatever you must in your area of weakness and remove any strongholds of repetitive mistakes)

Deloyd Parker: "Poor organization on your part does not cause an emergency on my part" (Brian K. Rice: A lot of times people expect you to rush and please them when they clearly could have done more. Don't wait until the last minute to ask for help. Don't get mad at the person you are rushing for your procrastination. Get your work in order and make it easier on you and the person you need on the back end.)

Brian K. Rice: How did you grow last week? Did you grow in the area of spiritual growth? Did you develop your circle of positive and focused friends and associates? Did you read a book on a subject where you need to personally grow? Did you do something to get you closer to your idea of success?

Dance as though no one is watching. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is here on earth.

Dale Carnegie: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." (Brian K. Rice: A lot of people make this mistake and they don't even know it. I have made this mistake before.)

Albert Einstein: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” (Brian K. Rice: To be balanced with your weight and health, you must continually exercise and eat appropriately. To be balanced in spirit and in faith you must continually read and live out His word. To have balanced relationships you must continually communicate and sacrifice for the whole. Don't stop, keep moving.)

J. Oswald Sanders revised: "It is amazing how we don't recognize great leaders until they are gone and then we build monuments for them--- from the same stones we used to throw at them"

Lao-Tze "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." (Brian K. Rice: Be mindful of everything you do.)

Malcolm Forbes: Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. (Brian k. Rice: There is a whole lot of value in each one of us. Some use their value, others do not. I believe most of us scratch the surface of our capabilities because we follow the routines of life. Break the restraints of routine, sacrifice and utilize your God given gifts)

W. Boetcker: "If you want to know how rich you really are, find out what would be left of you tomorrow if you lose every dollar you own tonight" (Brian K. Rice: How rich is your character? How rich is your morale? How rich is your relationship with your friends? How rich is your family support system? How rich is your faith in God? How rich is your confidence? How rich is your backbone? How rich is your humility?)