Majoring in the Majors

Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand
Thomas Carlyle

Persistence against Pleasure

Francis Galton, the 19th century British polymath spent decades amassing biographical information on the lives of eminent judges, politicians, poets, musicians and wrestlers. Although Galton hoped to identify the hereditary origins of genius – he wanted to lend support to his cousin Charles Darwin’s new theory of evolution – he eventually concluded that innate intelligence was not sufficient for high-achievement. Rather, these successful men needed to also be blessed with “zeal and with capacity for hard labour.”

(Recent brain studies indicate) these diligent souls seem to get a bit more pleasure from the possibility of reward, but they also seem less sensitive to their inner complainer, that disruptive voice reminding them that minesweeper is more fun than editing, or that the ballgame on television is much more entertaining than their homework. At any given moment, there is a tug of war unfolding in our head, determining whether or not we’re willing to put in the effort.

Jonah Lehrer

The Price of Illusions

Our illusions can ravage us as mercilessly as violence or disease. And the illusions of others, when they take on lives of their own, are even more dangerous.
Nicholas Christopher

Opportunity in Disguise

Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune - or temporary defeat.

The Noise of Opportunity

Opportunity knocks! Quit complaining about the noise!

Missing Opportunity

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

Improving on Silence

Open your mouth only when you can improve on the silence.

The Cure for Suffering

The only cure for suffering is to face it head on, grasp it around the neck and use it.

Mary Craig

Someone Else's Sins

Oh, how horrible our sins look when they are committed by someone else!

Chuck Smith

Restless Hearts

O God, Thou hast made us for thyself, and ours hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.
Augustine

Nothing

Nothing to prove. Nothing to lose.

First Preference

Nothing is to be preferred before justice
Socrates

Being Understood

Nothing is more validating and affirming than feeling understood. And the moment a person beings feeling understood, that person becomes far more open to influence and change.
Stephen Convey

Bringing Enthusiam

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson