No horse gets anywhere until its harnessed, otherwise it just runs wild on the field. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it’s tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined”. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick.

The power of focus and discipline brings success! Learn to use it to get the best from your abilities, and talents. Keep balance, focus on what’s good, give to others and finish strong. These are the principles of greatness. 

Inspired by: 2nd Timothy 1:7

“The road to life isn’t linear. It isn’t Sherbrooke Street. It’s more like Côte-des-Neiges. It’s a country route, dusty and dirty, with soft shoulders and high banks, Don’t be afraid of taking chances – of striking out on paths that are untrod. Don’t be afraid of failing. Don’t be afraid of making an ass of yourself. I do it all the time and look what I got” William Shatner.

Two factors lead us to success: First being who you are, and this implies being the best you can possibly be.  And second taking chances, embracing risk. The better you do those two, the more rewards you will find in life and business.

Quote Source: McGill Reporter.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1899, Borges continues to be one of Latin America’s greatest authors. His poems and work of fiction have no equal, and is undoubtedly a giant in literature.

Sometimes we hear in the IT world: code is poetry. Although code can be sometimes a work of art, it is not, and can never approach poetry. Poetry reaches the heart, the spirit, it goes beyond any other artistic work. Only music can approach it.

Below one of his poems, first in English and then the original in Spanish. If you like what you read, pick any book from him, you won’t be disappointed. For me his poems are like the cool breeze of the ocean on my soul.

The Just
by Jorge Luis Borges 

A man who cultivates his garden, as Voltaire wished.
He who is grateful that on earth we have music.
He who takes pleasure in tracing an etymology.
Two workmen playing, in a café in the South, a silent game of chess.
The potter, who imagines a color and a form.
The typographer who sets this page well, though it may not please him.
A woman and a man, who read the last tercets of a certain canto.
He who strokes a sleeping animal.
He who justifies, or wishes to, a wrong done to him.
He who is grateful that on earth we got one Stevenson.
He who prefers others to be right.
These people, that we ignore, are saving the world.

Los Justos

Un hombre que cultiva un jardín, como quería Voltaire.
El que agradece que en la tierra haya música.
El que descubre con placer una etimología.
Dos empleados que en un café del Sur juegan un silencioso ajedrez.
El ceramista que premedita un color y una forma.
Un tipógrafo que compone bien esta página, que tal vez no le agrada
Una mujer y un hombre que leen los tercetos finales de cierto canto.
El que acaricia a un animal dormido.
El que justifica o quiere justificar un mal que le han hecho.
El que agradece que en la tierra haya Stevenson.
El que prefiere que los otros tengan razón.
Esas personas, que se ignoran, están salvando el mundo 

“One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity” ~ Bruce Lee.

Image Credits Pat McDonald.

Less noise, less “information”, leads to less stress and that equals more peace.

Image Credits: here.

Over 100 years after his death, Jules Verne continues to be an inspiration to millions. His many books showed an uncanny ability to predict the future, inventions like the Rocket Ship, the elevator, the modern submarine and even the way man would reach the moon were predicted, and made into exciting works of fiction.

It’s a pleasant surprise to see that even Google, the epitome of a 21st. century company pays homage to this special mind in their homepage with their logo resembling the Nautilus submarine.

“Success and proper timing go hand in hand. In war, in love, in business those that act at the right time win. And yes that also takes guts!” Joseph Hurtado

Two challenges however will face you on your road to action: Confusion and Fear. The first one makes it difficult to see the signs and recognize the trends or discern the truth; the latter stops you cold, with images of defeat.

Wisdom says be brave and notice the signs! First listen to your heart and then act in faith! Signs will never be crystal clear, but they should be enough to give you peace to move forward. Prayer helps too, since it brings you knowledge from above, from the one who truly knows and cares about all of us, if your desires are righteous God shall help you.

Finally, remember even if you were wrong, you are one step ahead of everyone else, you took a step forward. Persevere, you shall find victory!

Inspiration: Joshua 1, Ecclesiastes 3.

Photo: Erin M.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson.

There is wisdom in this quote. So Stop, read it again two or three times if you need to. Now, think about it, if your heart is right and righteousness lives in you, despite setbacks, you will always be able to make a good ending. Always remember that it is YOU who writes the pages of your own book, and whether you believe it or not God is watching, and yes He does care. Cheer up, you can do it, He will help you, he will shine on you!

Image Credits on Flickr.