Steve Goodier Inspirations

[Rhonda]

SOMEONE TO LOOK AFTER

During my second year of college I was scouting around for a place to
live, as my roommates had dropped out of school. One Sunday after
church the pastor put his arm around me and said, "I understand you
need a room. Our daughter is in New Zealand this year as a foreign
exchange student. If you'd like to stay with us you may use her room."

To be honest, I really didn't want to stay with "the preacher's
family." I was 19 years old and on my own. But then he told me how
much rent would be -- a ridiculously low figure that included one
home-cooked meal a day. I thought about the offer for about a minute
and decided to move in.

At the end of the semester I had planned to find other living
arrangements, since the daughter was to return home. But they asked
if I wanted to stay on another term, suggesting I move across the
hall and share a room with their son. By this time I seemed to have
been adopted into their family -- her people became my people, as it
was put so beautifully in the old biblical story of Ruth. I happily
accepted the offer.

As I vacated the daughter's bedroom, I thought it might be nice to
have a little sister to look after. But when I later met my new
sister, I realized that this idea of looking after her might be more
interesting than I first imagined.

We eventually fell in love, married, and have looked after one
another for many years. There have been times that life turned out to
be more challenging than either of us could have known. But we have
always been able to go forward largely because we knew that somebody
deeply cared.

It isn't about marriage ... it's about love. It's about mothers and
fathers, sisters and brothers and special friends who are as close as
family. It's about anybody who can say, "I'll be around -- you can
count on me. I'll try to look after you and sometimes I will need
you to look after me."

Is there somebody you can depend on? And are others counting on
you? We travel the path of life best when there is somebody to look
after, and when someone is looking after us.

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for
my nap. -- Bob Hope, late in life

[Rhonda]

CAN YOU PASS THE TRIPLE FILTER TEST?

When should you pass news on and when should you keep it to yourself?

A scholar in ancient Baghdad was said to be unusually wise. One day an
acquaintance met the great scholar and said, "Do you know what I just
heard about your friend?"

"Wait," the scholar replied. "Before you continue, let me ask a
question. Is what you are about to tell me the truth?"

"I don't know," the man said.

"All right," said the scholar. "You don't know if it's true. Let me
ask another question. Is what you are about to tell me good?"

"No, it isn't!" the man replied.

"Then allow me to ask a third question. Is what you are about to tell
useful to me?" asked the scholar.

"No, it is not useful," said the man.

Then the scholar said, "If it may not be true, if it is not good and
it is not useful, then why do you want to tell me at all?"

Does your news pass the triple filter test? Ask yourself these
questions before you speak: Is what I am about to say the truth? Is it
good? And is it useful? If you can answer yes to only two of these
questions, be careful about what you pass along. But if what you are
about to tell passes all three filters, then it should be told!

My friend Bob Burg has a different approach. "Play the 'Reverse
Gossip' Game," he says. "See how many nice things you can say behind
someone's back." Sounds like a game that everyone wins.

-- Steve Goodier
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Optimism is getting married at 90 and looking for a house near a
school. -- Unknown

[Rhonda]

ENCOURAGEMENT WORKS

At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young
players, "Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?" The
little boy nodded yes.

"Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a
team?" The little boy nodded yes.

"So," the coach continued, "when a strike is called, or you are out at
first, you don't argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you
understand all that?" Again, the boy nodded yes.

"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain it to your
mother."

What the coach wanted the boy's mother to understand is that
encouragement is vital to success. Encouragement builds teams and also
builds esteem. Encouragement works. In fact, the right kind of
encouragement, at the right time, can change a life.

Author Ron Dunn tells the story of two altar boys. One was born in
1892 in Eastern Europe. The other was born just three years later in a
small town in Illinois (USA). Though their lives were quite different,
these two boys shared a similar experience.

Each altar boy assisted his parish priest in the celebration of Mass.
While handling the chalice during Holy Eucharist, they both
accidentally spilled some of the wine on the carpet.

But this is where their stories diverge. The priest in the Eastern
European church, seeing the purple stain, slapped the altar boy across
the face and shouted, "Clumsy oaf! Leave the altar." He did. The
little boy grew up to become the atheist and communist dictator of
Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito.

The priest in the church in Illinois, upon seeing the wine stain,
knelt down beside the boy and looked him tenderly in the eyes and
said, "It's all right, son. You'll do better next time. You'll be a
fine priest for God someday." That little boy grew up to become the
much loved Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.

We will never know how much a kind and encouraging word from the
priest, or the lack of one, influenced these boys' lives. But kindness
and instruction are always far more valuable than anger and criticism.

Encouragement works.

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine. -- Elvis Presley

[Rhonda]

NO GREAT TALENT

"I don't have any talent." You have cer­tainly heard those words. You
may have even said them yourself! And quite possibly, if you looked
closely enough, you might discover that you are wrong.

Mary Frye enjoyed writing poetry. She wasn't interested in publishing
her poems, and occa­sionally she passed one on to a friend who could
use a lift. "I don't figure I have any great talent," the Bal­timore,
Maryland home­maker said. But many people would disagree.
One of her poems, especially, has given hope and comfort to people who
mourn for over 50 years.

When a friend of hers lost someone close, Mary Frye jotted down a
poem, which seemed to spring from her heart, and gave it to the
grieving woman. That poem was later passed on to others, who, in turn,
passed it on until it became an Ameri­can classic. "If it helps one
person through a hard time, I am amply paid," said Mary, who has
re­ceived no remuneration for her un­copy­righted work. It has been
used in countless fu­nerals, translated and used in foreign lands and
even incorporated into television drama.

Here is her original text, which has moved so many for so long:

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

How many people are finding strength and sol­ace from a verse jotted
by a woman who always pro­fessed she had no talent? And what if she
had kept her poetry to herself? Don't be afraid to use the tal­ents
you do possess, it has been well ad­vised. The woods would be very
silent if only the birds with the sweetest songs were heard.

-- Steve Goodier
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[Rhonda]

LIFE IS MEANT TO BE LIVED

Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once
came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he
finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and
learned that it had already been sold to a collector.

He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to
sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized
possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler
turned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrument
once more before it is consigned to silence?"

Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The
violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector
himself could only listen in wonderment. "I have no right to keep that
to myself," he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours,
Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it."

William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if you
believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For you
and I are exquisite violins -- our music is meant to be heard.

I want to live my life that way -- to take it into the world and live
it fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up
than die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would.

I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity.
Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in
investing our lives in others. Saying YES when asked for a hand.
Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour
with a lonely relative.

In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been
about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my
availability. My life is meant to be lived.

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. AIN'T IT SO
Arguing with some people is like trying to blow out an electric light
bulb. -- Unknown

[Rhonda]

CHOOSING CONFIDENCE

Carefully examining a display in the drugstore, a man asked the
pharmacist, "Do you really guarantee this hair-restorer?"

The pharmacist responded, "Better than that, sir. We give a comb with
every bottle." Wouldn't you love to have that kind of confidence?

One man quipped, "When it comes to believing in myself, I'm an
agnostic." One of the greatest problems many people experience is lack
of confidence. Some don't believe in their ability to speak in public,
others are afraid to try something they've never done before, and
still others do not have the confidence to overcome their shyness.

Do you know that you can become more confident? One effective
technique is to learn to do what you're afraid to do.

I led a seminar a few years ago where I asked for three volunteers to
speak to the group the next day. One young woman named Judy was the
first to raise her hand. She explained to me later why she did so:
"When you asked for three volunteers," Judy said, "I felt a knot of
fear in my stomach. I've never done anything like this before and I've
never really believed I could. But the fear was telling me something,"
she continued. "So...BECAUSE I felt so anxious, I decided that this
was something I had to do. But I must to tell you, I'm terrified!"

She made up her mind to DO that which she was afraid to do. And the
following day, Judy's five-minute talk was superb! She was honest and
genuine, speaking right from her heart. Now she is more confident
about her ability to speak in public.

People who are confident have choices. People who are fearful too
often avoid much of life because they are afraid to venture into
unknown territory.

Jim Loehr said, "With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights;
without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your
grasp." When you make what you're afraid to do what you CHOOSE to do,
you will soon have the confidence TO DO whatever you choose!

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
In the beginning there was nothing. God said, "Let there be light!"
And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a
whole lot better. -- Ellen DeGeneres

[Rhonda]

ALIVE AND PRESENT

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once told of a childhood incident that
may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound
influence on the rest of his life. It happened when he was nine years
old. It was winter. Young Frank was walking across a snow-covered
field with his uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the
field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the
snow, straight and true as an arrow's flight, and then young Frank's
tracks meandering all over the field.

"Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle
to the woods and back again," his uncle said. "And see how my tracks
aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that."

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this
experience had greatly contributed to his life's philosophy. "I
determined right then," he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, "not to
miss most things in life, as my uncle had."

He determined to be alive and present. To be fully aware and squeeze
as much life out of each moment as possible.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the past. Let us learn
from the past, but not live there.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the future. Let us plan
for the future, but not live there.

We will miss little if we live in the present. And we'll have more fun
along the way!

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. JUST WONDERIN'
What's another word for 'Thesaurus? -- Steven Wright

[Rhonda]

ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO YOU

In West Virginia folklore there is a story of a country doctor
who was called out to a holler late one night to assist a woman
about to give birth. By the time the doctor arrived at the
farmhouse, things had progressed to a point where the doctor
asked the husband to help him by holding a gas lantern up
high in order to illuminate the makeshift delivery room.

Before long, the courageous mother delivered a healthy baby boy.
As the father lowered the lantern, the doctor barked an order to
keep the lantern aloft: "We're not done yet." Shortly, a second
child appeared on the scene, a healthy baby girl. Shaken by the
unexpected arrival of twins, the father heard the doctor say once
again, "We can't stop now. It looks as if it's going to be
triplets." To which the stunned father, still holding the lantern
high, replied, "Do you think it's the light that's attracting
them?"

Light has a quality of attraction. I recently left my office door
open late one afternoon in our mountain home and, at dusk, the
light from within attracted -- a hummingbird! (Coaxing a
hummingbird out of the house is a little like pushing a rope.
Mostly, whatever you do doesn't work.)

You, too, have a light that attracts...an inner light. Not
visible to the naked eye, but apparent just the same. We speak of
a "twinkle" in the eye or a "flicker" of warmth in the heart.
Some people shine with a light of kindness. Others emit a light
of hope. There are those who glow with enthusiasm and still
others who radiate love.

Almost all creatures are drawn to light, including humans. Do you
want to attract people to you? Positive and life-affirming inner
qualities can attract people like a warm fire on a cold night.
What will draw other people to you best cannot be purchased in
any department store. They will respond to that which radiates
from within.

You may not always see it, but your light is shining through. And
it's one of your most attractive qualities!

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
Life may have no meaning. Or even worse, it may have a meaning of
which I disapprove. -- Ashleigh Brilliant

[Rhonda]

LOOKING FOR DIAMONDS

Albert Einstein said, "In the middle of every difficulty lies
opportunity." Once discovered, such opportunities are like
valuable diamonds hidden in the sand.

Several years ago I spoke at church about how we are surrounded by
"diamonds," if we could only recognize them. A man stopped by to see
me. I remembered him as somebody who had suffered through a painful
divorce and was examining his life's priorities. His outstretched hand
contained a small, plastic gem stone.

"I stepped on this gem stone when I was leaving church last Sunday,"
he explained. "It became lodged in the sole of my shoe. You had spoken
about recognizing opportunities - diamonds. I put the plastic stone in
my pocket to remind me to look for those diamonds that I need.

"I have been trying to sell my business," he continued. On Monday
morning, a man stopped by who seemed interested in purchasing some of
my stock. I thought, 'Here's my diamond - don't let it get away!' I
sold the entire stock to him by noon.

"Now," he said through a broad smile, "my next diamond is to find
a new job!"

Not long afterward, he did find a new - and better - job. He resolved
to keep his gem stone with him from then on as a reminder to look for
diamonds as he digs through the difficulties of life.

Richard DeVos is accurate when he points out, "This is an
exciting world. It is cram-packed with opportunity. Great moments
wait around every corner." Those moments are diamonds that, if
left unrecognized, will be forever lost.

Are you looking for diamonds every day? If not, you may easily
pass them by! Perhaps there is a diamond of opportunity hidden in that
difficulty you're experiencing now.

-- Steve Goodier
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P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy. -- Bob Hope

[Rhonda]

RICHES OF THE HEART

A funny story is told about a young woman who confided to her new
lover, "My father is gone and my mother is in very poor health. It
looks as if she will die soon and I will inherit all her money. We
should get married; after all I'm going to be a millionaire!" Two
weeks later the man became her stepfather.

I have heard it said that from the time an infant first struggles to
get her toes into her mouth, life is a continual struggle to make both
ends meet. Those who are working one or more jobs and feel as if they
are barely getting by can relate.

But I also know that the pursuit of money, as an end in itself, is an
empty endeavor. Happy are those who seek riches which cannot be
counted in a bank or measured on a scale. For they will never know
real poverty.

I believe writer Rudyard Kipling got it right when he admonished
students at McGill University to never waste their time fighting for
money. He said that some day they will meet someone who cares little
for money and will not take it, even if offered. At that time, they
will discover how poor they really are!

Yet how very wealthy are those who seek riches of the heart. They will
always have more than enough of all that brings true happiness.

-- Steve Goodier


P.S. AIN'T IT SO
Waiters and waitresses are becoming nicer and more caring. I used to
pay my check, they'd say, "Thank you." That graduated into "Have a
nice day." That's now escalated into "You take care of yourself now."
The other day I paid my check - the waiter said, "Don't put off that
mammogram." -- Rita Rudner,