Why did you bother turning up?

I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time,
somehow things will work out in the end. Larry Bird

If you arent going to put 100% into your day you may as well stay at home. If you don't like what you're doing, find something you do like. Otherwise, your bad attitude affects everyone around you, and in the case of my brother's nurse, that can't be good for someone trying to recover.

I realise we all have to pay the mortgage, so if you aren't passionate about your work I have a suggestion: find something outside of work that you are passionate about. Doing this could change your attitude at work as there will be spill-over enjoyment from your new hobby.

This week get involved in something you enjoy. Google things you are interested in, read inspiring books, play Scrabulous on Facebook. Do something that makes you smile. You will bring that smile with you to work tomorrow and make someone else's day.

My Lobotomy - Howard Dully

I have just finished reading 'My Lobotomy' by Howard Dully. An incredible story of a life interupted by an evil step mother, a distant father and a Doctor with a penchant for lobotomies.

Howard writes that everyone is a victim in someway and it is up to you to either use it as an excuse for failure, as he did for many years, or decide to you want something better for your life and go for it.

It is an amazing story and I trust Howard will become the successful man he was destined to be. I find it astonishing that even today children are mistreated by Doctors, who never have to ask for second opinion, and prescribe drugs to kids who are a 'handful' at home.

Books I've been reading ...

There have been a few of them lately and I will put them all up soon.

The one that made the biggest impact on me so far has been 'A Piece of Cake' by Cupcake Brown.

Her amazing story is a must read for everyone. Think you can't be who or what you want to be? Read this book, nothing is impossible.

The ABC's of Life (from a entry on Cup's blog)

Accept differences. Be kind. Count your blessings. Dream. Express thanks. Forgive. Give Freely. Harm no one. Imagine more. Jettison anger. Keep confidences. Love truly. Master something. Nurture hope. Open your mind. Pack lightly. Quell rumors. Reciprocate. Seek wisdom. Touch hearts. Understand. Value truth. Win graciously. Xeriscape. Yearn for peace. Zealously support a worthy cause.

Hospitals and head injuries

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. John E. Southard

This week Im at a bit of a loss of what to write about.

My strong, capable brother is now in hospital with a head injury.

He can only have visitors for short periods of time as the struggle of acting normal, joking, making everyone think he is fine, takes a lot of energy and wears him out.

Visiting him over the weekend, we have seen, that some of our hospitals are manned by nice people who have English as a second langauge and are so busy that patient care and comfort almost comes second.

I have realised that the front we sometimes put up is useless and you have to wonder why it was put it up in the first place. It just keeps people away and prevents them from knowing how you really feel.

So what have I seen this week that is inspiring?

I have seen friends and family rally together to look after my brothers son so his partner can be with him.

I have had some amazing conversations that have shown me that people really do care - people I wouldn't even expect things from have shown great kindness.

I know my brother will get better, I know he will have a lot of help to get him back on his feet and I trust there will be people with him every step of the way.

Have a terrific week and know your friends and family are there for you if you ask for help.

It doesnt take much. A smile, a touch, or a friendly word.

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. Henry Clay

What if you treated everybody as if they had a sign hung around their neck saying, "Make me feel special."

What difference would that make to your life, the way you treat people and your success?

I am not exactly the most patient person and have to practice being patient in all areas of my life. I have found that being patient with someone can make them feel special. It might be something as simple as waiting patiently for an extra one or two minutes while they think about what they want to order.

If you are in an industry like Real Estate making everyone feel special could be the x factor that gets you a listing or sells a property.

It doesn't take much: a smile, a touch, or a friendly word.

Remember the "Make me feel special" sign as you go about your business today and see the difference it makes to your experiences and others around you.

Why I'm behind in the news

I wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There's a knob called "brightness," but that doesn't work.

I'm always behind in the news. Mostly because I very rarely watch it.

My reason: Watching the news every day has been proven to give you a skewed view on life. A University of Florida professor, C. John Sommerville, recently wrote a book about it,stating, 'it can make you dumb!'

Here are a few disadvantages of watching the daily news taken from Sommerville's new book:

1. You shouldn't watch the news first thing in the morning or just before bed because it encourages feelings of sadness, grumpiness, and anger. Watching the news colors how you see the world with its broad strokes of death, destruction, betrayal, and hopelessness.

2. You shouldn't watch the news because judging, making wrong conclusions, assuming, and extrapolating incorrectly are all automatic. When you watch the news, you're rarely given the full story. You don't know what's really going on, why things happened, or who was involved.

3. You shouldn't watch the news because when you're talking to people and you focus solely on the news, you lose the opportunity to really connect with others. When you watch the news, you're less likely to share information about your life, hobbies, activities, and struggles.

4. You shouldn't watch the news because it steals time from family, hobbies, pets, goals, relationships, and other interesting and fun stuff in life! When you watch the news, you're not pursuing your goals or hanging out with your friends.

Don't watch the news this week, read a book or spend the time with your family. The doom and gloom will melt away and you will have a new, positive perspective on life.