Let's Talk About Words

    Chief Tecumseh said, "When you arise in the morning , give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself." Whether life is causing you sadness or happiness, there is always something to be grateful for. I may often struggle with money, yet I never go without food or shelter. I have three wonderful children and a job that I love. I am also thankful that every morning is a new opportunity; another chance to follow my dreams. Author Susan Marie Schulhof http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible ." -St. Francis of Assisi     There are so many things that are necessary for me to do in life, like go to school, get a job, pay the bills and clean the house, to name a few. Then there are the things that I want to do that are possible . I got married, started a family, volunteered and followed my passions . As I did these things that I desired, they guided me to more and more  opportunities that seemed unreachable if I had just tried to achieve them. Many people achieve the  impossible , just by doing what is necessary and what is  possible at first. Read my words and see my quotes  at http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com or follow my page at https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7?ref=hl

   Francis Quarles said, "Has fortune dealt you some bad cards? Then let wisdom make you a good gamester." I interpret this quote to mean that even if you are born into or have some negative aspects or situations in your life , you can change that. A person born into poverty does not need to stay in poverty. A person born with disabilities does not have to live a life controlled by it. A person who repeatedly encounters unfortunate situations at every turn does not have to live an unfortunate life . I am continually amazed by the stories I hear and read about that are full of hope and hard work. A child born in the ghetto that goes to Harvard. A child of a bitter divorce finding happily ever after in their own marriage. As often as I hear of these stories, I am also astounded by the tales of people born into privilege who squander their  opportunities and waste their lives. Life is what you make of it. No matter what you are dealt, make your own luck. ...

     It seems backwards to say, "When ambition ends, happiness begins", in a society where ambition is thought to bring happiness, but that is the quote from a Hungarian Proverb. I don't believe that the proverb means that we would be happier if we had no ambition. I think the meaning is similar to the phrase about enjoying the drive as much as the destination. I feel that sometimes the paths to my goals were just as rewarding as actually reaching them. Even though I was happy when my book was published and selling, I enjoyed the process of writing and editing  it. We had fun in the cities we visited, but I loved the road trips that I took with my daughters to get there just as much. I think that we should pursue our gifts and passions with as much ambition that we have, but we should remember to enjoy the way there too. Read my words and see my quotes at: http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

      Zig Ziglar said, "winning is not everything, but the effort is." How true that is. I remember how great I felt when I was training for a marathon a few years ago. I was in good shape; I felt disciplined getting up in the morning to train, and my daughters were proud of me. I even blogged about my training for the marathon, and I felt a sense of pride every time I ran a little bit farther than the last time. I ran slow and even got injured and had to stop at mile 18 of the marathon, but it still felt like quite an accomplishment. Even though I wish that I had run all 26.2 miles and finished, the effort of training was well worth it. It is something I will never regret trying. I know that if I had not trained and tried, I would have looked back with regret. What do you want to try in life that you would regret not going after? Read my words and see my quotes at http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com