FIFTY-SEVEN FAMOUS ALIBIS By Old Man IF
People who do not succeed have one distinguishing trait in common.
They know all the reasons for failure, and have what they believe to be air-tight alibis to explain away their own lack of achievement. Some of these alibis are clever, and a few of them are justifiable by the facts. But alibis cannot be used for money. The world wants to know only one thing—HAVE YOU ACHIEVED SUCCESS? A character analyst compiled a list of the most commonly used alibis. As you read the list, examine yourself carefully, and determine how many of these alibis, if any, are your own property. Remember, too, the philosophy presented in this blog makes every one of these alibis obsolete.
IF I didn't have a wife and family . . .
IF I had enough "pull" . . .
IF I had money . . .
IF I had a good education . . .
IF I could get a job . . .
IF I had good health . . .
IF I only had time . . .
IF times were better . . .
IF other people understood me . . .
IF conditions around me were only different . . .
IF I could live my life over again . . .
IF I did not fear what "THEY" would say . . .
IF I had been given a chance . . .
IF I now had a chance . . .
IF other people didn't "have it in for me" . . .
IF nothing happens to stop me . . .
IF I were only younger . . .
IF I could only do what I want . . .
IF I had been born rich . . .
IF I could meet "the right people" . . .
IF I had the talent that some people have . . .
IF I dared assert myself . . .
IF I only had embraced past opportunities . . .
IF people didn't get on my nerves . . .
IF I didn't have to keep house and look after the children. . .
IF I could save some money . . .
IF the boss only appreciated me . . .
IF I only had somebody to help me . . .
IF my family understood me . . .
IF I lived in a big city . . .
IF I could just get started . . .
IF I were only free . . .
IF I had the personality of some people . . .
IF I were not so fat . . .
IF my talents were known . . .
IF I could just get a "break" . . .
IF I could only get out of debt . . .
IF I hadn't failed . . .
IF I only knew how . . .
IF everybody didn't oppose me . . .
IF I didn't have so many worries . . .
IF I could marry the right person . . .
IF people weren't so dumb . . .
IF my family were not so extravagant . . .
IF I were sure of myself . . .
IF luck were not against me . . .
IF I had not been born under the wrong star . . .
IF it were not true that "what is to be will be" . . .
IF I did not have to work so hard . . .
IF I hadn't lost my money . . .
IF I lived in a different neighborhood . . .
IF I didn't have a "past" . . .
IF I only had a business of my own . . .
IF other people would only listen to me . . .
IF . . . and this is the greatest of them all . . .
I had the courage to see myself as I really am, I would find out what is wrong with me, and correct it, then I might have a chance to profit by my mistakes and learn something from the experience of others, for I know that there is something WRONG with me, or I would now be where I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I had spent more time analyzing my weaknesses, and less time building alibis to cover them. Building alibis with which to explain away failure is a national pastime. The habit is as old as the human race, and is fatal to success! Why do people cling to their pet alibis? The answer is obvious. They defend their alibis because THEY CREATE them! A man's alibi is the child of his own imagination. It is human nature to defend one's own brain-child. Building alibis is a deeply rooted habit. Habits are difficult to break, especially when they provide justification for something we do. Plato had this truth in mind when he said, "The first and best victory is to conquer self. To be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile." Another philosopher had the same thought in mind when he said, "It was a great surprise to me when I discovered that most of the ugliness I saw in others, was but a reflection of my own nature." "It has always been a mystery to me," said Elbert Hubbard, "why people spend so much time deliberately fooling themselves by creating alibis to cover their weaknesses. If used differently,this same time would be sufficient to cure the weakness, then no alibis would be needed. "In parting, I would remind you that "Life is a checkerboard, and the player opposite you is TIME. If you hesitate before moving, or neglect to move promptly, your men will be wiped off the board by TIME. You are playing against a partner who will not tolerate INDECISION!"Previously you may have had a logical excuse for not having forced Life to come through with whatever you asked, but that alibi is now obsolete, because you are in possession of the Master Key that unlocks the door to Life's bountiful riches. The Master Key is intangible, but it is powerful! It is the privilege of creating, in your own mind, a BURNING DESIRE for a definite form of riches. There is no penalty for the use of the Key, but there is a
price you must pay if you do not use it. The price is FAILURE. There is a reward of stupendous
proportions if you put the Key to use. It is the satisfaction that comes to all who conquer self
and force Life to pay whatever is asked.
The reward is worthy of your effort. Will you make the start and be convinced?
"Get That Skrilla By Any Means"
Michael "Skrilla" Dunbar
Internet Traffic Controller
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"
Monday, February 16, 2009
Dealing With Financial Challenges
Many authors who write on spiritual aspects of finances, insist that it is necessary to believe in the unlimited universal abundance which is available to us. They make a point that such faith helps us to achieve the prosperity we seek. I also agree that the positive mindset is important. However, as humans we have a hard time to imagine and to comprehend that which is unlimited or infinite. And even when we try to think in these terms, we usually refer to more of the same stuff we have now, rather than different manifestations of energy and substance.
Last week we said that perfection is an illusion, but growth is the real thing. I would like to suggest to those who deal with financial challenges to expect steady improvement in their situation, and to do everything they can to make that happen. We need to avoid both unreasonable and exaggerated expectations and self-imposed limitations. As we keep our passions alive, stay open to new ideas, and move forward, we will discover a path to real greatness. We will know in our own experience that the universal abundance is truly unlimited!
What should we know to deal with financial challenges in our days, when many people lose their jobs, when the stock market and businesses suffer losses? Let me offer some advises. They aren’t some new revelations, yet sometimes we are so distracted by worries and concerns, that we forget about the common-sense wisdom.
No matter what are the current economical difficulties, they won’t last forever. All financial downturns are temporary – after a while, new growth will occur. Therefore, it would be good for us to look beyond the current situation.
What can we do personally, especially when it seems that some things are beyond our control? We can do the things which will give us additional power. If you are convinced that you are in a right kind of business and doing a right kind of job, keep on building your potential. Develop your skills and work with new ideas, even if you can’t successfully implement all of them now. When the due hour will come, you will be prepared to move on with a higher speed. So, take this situation as an opportunity to learn new strategies and to experiment with different approaches. When your routine is broken, let it stimulate your creative thinking. Perhaps, now you have an unique chance to do that which you’ve delayed for too long.
However, if you’ve become aware that you didn’t really like your work, you have a chance to change your career. It is a risk, but life itself is a risky business. We cannot have security to be our top priority, and to expect that it will bring us happiness and creative fulfillment. Life is too precious to waste on something you don’t like doing. Life is meant to be a daring adventure. Let the spirit of courage rise within you!
The second advise is to build relationships with others, displaying a generous and an open spirit. We hear a lot about networking in these days, but the problem with many people that they are looking for immediate benefits from their communication. But we need friends even more than we need customers and business partners. So, make new friends, reconnect with the old ones, and spend time with your family – with no strings attached.
When difficulties come, many people are tempted to become self-centered and even self-absorbed. But we need to break this pattern and to realize that “whatever we sow, we will also reap”. If we are open and generous in our relationships, the universe will bring to us those who are also open and generous. When we are willing to give and to help others, it boosts our self-esteem and delivers us from poverty mentality. We become better attuned to the flow of Life, so Life will continue to bring us its happy surprises.
"Get That Skrilla By Any Means"
Michael "Skrilla" Dunbar - Internet Traffic Controller
Author of "From A U.S. Marine To Internet Marketing Millionaire"
Click Here! Michael Dunbar's Blog
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"
Last week we said that perfection is an illusion, but growth is the real thing. I would like to suggest to those who deal with financial challenges to expect steady improvement in their situation, and to do everything they can to make that happen. We need to avoid both unreasonable and exaggerated expectations and self-imposed limitations. As we keep our passions alive, stay open to new ideas, and move forward, we will discover a path to real greatness. We will know in our own experience that the universal abundance is truly unlimited!
What should we know to deal with financial challenges in our days, when many people lose their jobs, when the stock market and businesses suffer losses? Let me offer some advises. They aren’t some new revelations, yet sometimes we are so distracted by worries and concerns, that we forget about the common-sense wisdom.
No matter what are the current economical difficulties, they won’t last forever. All financial downturns are temporary – after a while, new growth will occur. Therefore, it would be good for us to look beyond the current situation.
What can we do personally, especially when it seems that some things are beyond our control? We can do the things which will give us additional power. If you are convinced that you are in a right kind of business and doing a right kind of job, keep on building your potential. Develop your skills and work with new ideas, even if you can’t successfully implement all of them now. When the due hour will come, you will be prepared to move on with a higher speed. So, take this situation as an opportunity to learn new strategies and to experiment with different approaches. When your routine is broken, let it stimulate your creative thinking. Perhaps, now you have an unique chance to do that which you’ve delayed for too long.
However, if you’ve become aware that you didn’t really like your work, you have a chance to change your career. It is a risk, but life itself is a risky business. We cannot have security to be our top priority, and to expect that it will bring us happiness and creative fulfillment. Life is too precious to waste on something you don’t like doing. Life is meant to be a daring adventure. Let the spirit of courage rise within you!
The second advise is to build relationships with others, displaying a generous and an open spirit. We hear a lot about networking in these days, but the problem with many people that they are looking for immediate benefits from their communication. But we need friends even more than we need customers and business partners. So, make new friends, reconnect with the old ones, and spend time with your family – with no strings attached.
When difficulties come, many people are tempted to become self-centered and even self-absorbed. But we need to break this pattern and to realize that “whatever we sow, we will also reap”. If we are open and generous in our relationships, the universe will bring to us those who are also open and generous. When we are willing to give and to help others, it boosts our self-esteem and delivers us from poverty mentality. We become better attuned to the flow of Life, so Life will continue to bring us its happy surprises.
"Get That Skrilla By Any Means"
Michael "Skrilla" Dunbar - Internet Traffic Controller
Author of "From A U.S. Marine To Internet Marketing Millionaire"
Click Here! Michael Dunbar's Blog
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Develop Your Powers
Situations are not always to your liking. They don't always appear to be to your advantage, but you have to accept them. If it's in your power to change them, do whatever you can. If not, you must accept them as they are and move on with your life.
Develop Your Powers
The most effective way to deal with challenges is to prepare ourselves in advance by developing our powers. Those who are deeply passionate about their personal growth are in much better position compared to those who prefer to stay as they are.
The problem with too many of us is that we tend to neglect any need for progress when the things are going on well. We live as if we have already arrived to where we are supposed to be. But the fact is, it could never happen, for life is an endless journey. There are no reasons to rest on our laurels, even if our achievements are great.
We don’t have to be perfect, but we definitely have to be growing and flexible individuals.
It don’t really like a notion of perfection vs imperfection, because I doubt its usefulness. When I say, for instance, that I am imperfect, it means that I measure myself by a certain standard. The act of such a measurement conveys me a negative feeling of lack and inadequacy – no matter what progress I’ve made in the past. This feeling subtly undermines my motivation. Besides, most of standards of perfection I know of are merely intellectual constructions, irrelevant to the real life. We pay attention to them only because we were culturally or religiously conditioned to do so.
Perfection is an illusion, but growth is the real thing. It might be a good idea to forget about perfection or “being good”, as long as we commit ourselves to conscious evolution. At first, it might be necessary for us to know ourselves: what are our unique gifts, desires, and modes of expression. Then, we would need to pay attention to every significant area of our lives.
Each one of us is a multi-dimensional being, and our growth also should be multi-dimensional. Let me mention some obvious examples:
- we need to be physically fit and energetic;
- we need to be mentally alert;
- we need to be emotionally balanced;
- we need to have good social skills;
- we need to know how to work with the information;
- we need to express ourselves creatively.
Lack of conscious efforts in any of these areas will lead to stagnation and diminish our powers. Let us, therefore, never be too proud or too lazy to exercise and to learn the new things.
All development is gradual, so we need to develop habits of doing the things which will contribute to our growth. Some psychologists say that it takes about 21 day for a person to form a new habit. Although I don’t know whether this is true or not, I know from my experience that to form a new habit I need to keep myself motivated. Strong motivation is the key to achievements and personal transformation.
Every time you have a small victory over something, celebrate this victory. Never downplay it. Expect more victories to come. Become excited about your dreams and the step-by-step process of their realization. In your moments of silence, try to get in touch with the flow of power within you, and stay attuned to it. Then you will see and feel that self-development never breaks us, but unfolds our true nature.
Develop Your Powers
The most effective way to deal with challenges is to prepare ourselves in advance by developing our powers. Those who are deeply passionate about their personal growth are in much better position compared to those who prefer to stay as they are.
The problem with too many of us is that we tend to neglect any need for progress when the things are going on well. We live as if we have already arrived to where we are supposed to be. But the fact is, it could never happen, for life is an endless journey. There are no reasons to rest on our laurels, even if our achievements are great.
We don’t have to be perfect, but we definitely have to be growing and flexible individuals.
It don’t really like a notion of perfection vs imperfection, because I doubt its usefulness. When I say, for instance, that I am imperfect, it means that I measure myself by a certain standard. The act of such a measurement conveys me a negative feeling of lack and inadequacy – no matter what progress I’ve made in the past. This feeling subtly undermines my motivation. Besides, most of standards of perfection I know of are merely intellectual constructions, irrelevant to the real life. We pay attention to them only because we were culturally or religiously conditioned to do so.
Perfection is an illusion, but growth is the real thing. It might be a good idea to forget about perfection or “being good”, as long as we commit ourselves to conscious evolution. At first, it might be necessary for us to know ourselves: what are our unique gifts, desires, and modes of expression. Then, we would need to pay attention to every significant area of our lives.
Each one of us is a multi-dimensional being, and our growth also should be multi-dimensional. Let me mention some obvious examples:
- we need to be physically fit and energetic;
- we need to be mentally alert;
- we need to be emotionally balanced;
- we need to have good social skills;
- we need to know how to work with the information;
- we need to express ourselves creatively.
Lack of conscious efforts in any of these areas will lead to stagnation and diminish our powers. Let us, therefore, never be too proud or too lazy to exercise and to learn the new things.
All development is gradual, so we need to develop habits of doing the things which will contribute to our growth. Some psychologists say that it takes about 21 day for a person to form a new habit. Although I don’t know whether this is true or not, I know from my experience that to form a new habit I need to keep myself motivated. Strong motivation is the key to achievements and personal transformation.
Every time you have a small victory over something, celebrate this victory. Never downplay it. Expect more victories to come. Become excited about your dreams and the step-by-step process of their realization. In your moments of silence, try to get in touch with the flow of power within you, and stay attuned to it. Then you will see and feel that self-development never breaks us, but unfolds our true nature.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Accepting Challenges
When you act according to your highest dreams, the outcome is far grander than you might imagine.
Accepting Challenges
The universe loves us and provides everything for us to evolve, and to help others in their evolution. Let us note that this kind of help is the essence of true love. Our joy and fulfillment are by-products of our evolutionary development, so it is safe to say that the universe provides these blessings as well – for all those who are willing to accept them. Acceptance is the key. Unless we accept our growth and everything it involves, we won’t experience the universal abundance.
At the surface, challenges often look as limitations of our growth and our resource supply. But challenges should motivate us to go beyond those seeming shortages to the unlimited potential which belongs to us. As we raise our consciousness, this fact becomes more and more clear to us. At some point, we will start taking every challenge as a blessing in disguise.
There are three typical reactions to challenges:
- some people ignore them;
- some people resist them;
- some people accept them.
As we look at these reactions, let us remember that each one of us, with no exceptions, displays all of them at different times of our lives. The purpose of this message is not to point fingers at presumed “others”, but to encourage you to become aware of your dominant mental patterns.
To ignore challenges is the worst possible attitude. Those who display it, had probably become mentally dull and rigid. They don’t want to think much about what is going on. They are far from being observant, flexible, and creative. They live with an assumption that things will stay the same, more or less, so there is no need to prepare for changes.
People who ignore challenges as they come to them, suffer the worst. Does it mean that the universe is hostile and unjust towards them? No. But pain is the only way the universe makes itself heard.
Abstaining from thinking weakens us and makes us victims of circumstances.
Again, there are those people who are aware of challenges they are facing – but they resist those challenges. Basically, they are doing it because they believe that challenges are produced by some evil powers in order to harm them. They wish to get back to a condition previous to an appearance of challenges. They often dream about “good old days” and feel that something is being lost.
Those people are mostly good and sincere, and their intentions are understandable. However, they don’t really grasp the way the universe works. Their attitude doesn’t give them an accurate understanding of what is going on, and doesn’t provide workable solutions. Those who resist challenges will sooner or later have to admit their failure in dealing with them. This will weaken them and make them even more pessimistic about the world’s condition.
However, their pessimism is self-inflicted. If they would realize that unhappy experiences resulted from their mistaken notions, they would be able to create for themselves a much better reality. To begin with, they need to recognize that there is no so-called evil to put the blame on. Again, all the challenges are inherently good, and are meant for good.
Let us accept our challenges with an open heart and mind!
To accept challenges doesn’t mean to resign, to let go of our efforts, or to “submit to our fate”. Unless challenges stimulate us to creative thinking and actions, it is pointless to say that we’ve accepted them.
When challenges come, we often look for changes. We want to change our environment and the people around us. But since challenges are ours, it means that we ourselves have to change first. This is why they came to us – to be instruments of our personal development. Having this in mind, we won’t be afraid of challenges or resentful towards them.
Accepting Challenges
The universe loves us and provides everything for us to evolve, and to help others in their evolution. Let us note that this kind of help is the essence of true love. Our joy and fulfillment are by-products of our evolutionary development, so it is safe to say that the universe provides these blessings as well – for all those who are willing to accept them. Acceptance is the key. Unless we accept our growth and everything it involves, we won’t experience the universal abundance.
At the surface, challenges often look as limitations of our growth and our resource supply. But challenges should motivate us to go beyond those seeming shortages to the unlimited potential which belongs to us. As we raise our consciousness, this fact becomes more and more clear to us. At some point, we will start taking every challenge as a blessing in disguise.
There are three typical reactions to challenges:
- some people ignore them;
- some people resist them;
- some people accept them.
As we look at these reactions, let us remember that each one of us, with no exceptions, displays all of them at different times of our lives. The purpose of this message is not to point fingers at presumed “others”, but to encourage you to become aware of your dominant mental patterns.
To ignore challenges is the worst possible attitude. Those who display it, had probably become mentally dull and rigid. They don’t want to think much about what is going on. They are far from being observant, flexible, and creative. They live with an assumption that things will stay the same, more or less, so there is no need to prepare for changes.
People who ignore challenges as they come to them, suffer the worst. Does it mean that the universe is hostile and unjust towards them? No. But pain is the only way the universe makes itself heard.
Abstaining from thinking weakens us and makes us victims of circumstances.
Again, there are those people who are aware of challenges they are facing – but they resist those challenges. Basically, they are doing it because they believe that challenges are produced by some evil powers in order to harm them. They wish to get back to a condition previous to an appearance of challenges. They often dream about “good old days” and feel that something is being lost.
Those people are mostly good and sincere, and their intentions are understandable. However, they don’t really grasp the way the universe works. Their attitude doesn’t give them an accurate understanding of what is going on, and doesn’t provide workable solutions. Those who resist challenges will sooner or later have to admit their failure in dealing with them. This will weaken them and make them even more pessimistic about the world’s condition.
However, their pessimism is self-inflicted. If they would realize that unhappy experiences resulted from their mistaken notions, they would be able to create for themselves a much better reality. To begin with, they need to recognize that there is no so-called evil to put the blame on. Again, all the challenges are inherently good, and are meant for good.
Let us accept our challenges with an open heart and mind!
To accept challenges doesn’t mean to resign, to let go of our efforts, or to “submit to our fate”. Unless challenges stimulate us to creative thinking and actions, it is pointless to say that we’ve accepted them.
When challenges come, we often look for changes. We want to change our environment and the people around us. But since challenges are ours, it means that we ourselves have to change first. This is why they came to us – to be instruments of our personal development. Having this in mind, we won’t be afraid of challenges or resentful towards them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)