The Rose

” A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses.” Oscar Wilde

Take a few minutes and listen to this song…

“Love… it is a hunger, and endless aching need…”

Once upon a time, I use to sing.  The Rose was one of my favorites.  If by chance you ever heard me, you did not hear what I was hearing as I sang.  I confess I was no Bette Midler; however, I gave it my all every time, always with the full orchestra accompanying me in my head. 

At the time I absorbed the passion of these lyrics…  

“It’s the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance… its the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance… it’s the one who won’t be taken, who can not seem to give… and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live….”   

Recently, I was in a conversation and asked “what was in my past that might have had an effect on me?  Why do I make some of the decisions I make in my life?”  I replied “I have always thought I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it”.

I now think it was deeper than what I originally believed.  When I heard this song the other day, I remembered singing it and knowing deep inside that life <and love> is about taking a chance… not being afraid… and to give it all I’ve got. 

Really listen to the words of the song… did you hear it?

Life and Love… “it’s not just for the lucky and the strong”. 

Later… Barbara

 

Do you need some motivation?

When I lived in Denver, I had the opportunity to attend a Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations.  I consider it a life changing time in my life.  The course has been altered very little in the past 101 years, it’s a proven winner!

The course is based on the Dale Carnegie book  How to Win Friends and Influence People.  First published in 1936, gazillions of copies have been sold worldwide.  It is a book with simplistic, common sense strategies to deal with complexities of everyday life.  I recommend it to everyone who may be struggling with work, family, daily stress… <you know>… life!  If you are one of these people, I encourage you to get a copy and read it… if you ever have the occasion to attend a Dale Carnegie Course, take it, you will never be the same after.

The first five principles of Carnegie:

Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain

Give honest, sincere appreciation

Arouse in the other person an eager want

Become genuinely interested in other people

Smile

Master these five nuggets of wisdom, and most likely you can accomplish anything!

<and feel good while you are doing it>

A Carnegie quote I consider one of the most important.  It’s a good lesson to learn!

Later… Barbara