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Defeating Discouragement

There was a time, a long long time ago, when you got an idea. You stretched -- you reached -- you pulled yourself up on your chubby little wobbly legs for the very first time. You took the biggest risk of your life to that point - and you walked.

Then you fell back on your padded rear end. What happened next? Did the people around you yell and say you were a failure for not walking perfectly the first time? No!

Did you think to yourself, "Eh, this walking thing is over-rated. I'm not anatomically put together correctly for walking. I don't think it is a good idea to try this again. I don't like this feeling of failure. I think I'll just sit here in my comfy diaper and enjoy the floor." NO! You kept trying. You tried because you didn't know any better. it seemed like the thing to do.

When a baby pulls itself up to walk, we get excited and encourage our little one to keep trying. "C'mon, you can do it! Honey! The BABY IS WALKING!" We swell with pride when our child makes it across the room the first time. We watch in wonder as this tiny creature, whose age is measured in months, discovers new landscapes. We encourage our child. And our child WALKS!

Yet, somewhere between the initial discovery of two-legged ambulation and today, we learned to be discouraged. We have short memories. We forget that we DID learn to walk, after all. And we learned to talk. If we had parents or friends who spoke different languages, we easily picked those up.

We learned to run, to spell, to count. We learned to navigate to and from familiar places. We got older and learned math, science, how to drive, how to cook, how to get along in the world.

We keep learning. So much in our early years occurred because it was what we were all doing. We didn't think about it all that much. Sure, we fretted over homework and tests, but we were learning things without realizing we were learning. And sometimes we got excited about it.

Time passed. We moved into the "real world" - the world of work. The world of responsibilities, complicated relationships, accountability, rent, groceries, marriage, children.

Somewhere along the way, we lost flexibility. We forgot how to learn. We forgot how to fail properly - we forgot it is OK to fail and say, "Hmmm, that didn't work. Maybe this will." So often we forget to give to ourselves the encouragement we give freely to loved ones.

Let's face it, discouragement happens. It 's human. Just don't let it stop you. The next time you get discouraged, think back on your first steps and remember - you made it this far. You can figure out a way to turn this into a success. "C'mon, you can do it. I believe in you!"

To your next, best accomplishment!

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
  -Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

"What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better. "
  -Wendell Phillips (1811 - 1884)

"Hi Beth and Happy New Year!

Thank you and Peace and Blessings!"

Shelia R. C. Honolulu

Announcements:

1. We still have a few "Genius" door hangers left with Beth's quote- "The past does not necessarily predict your future. It merely informs it. Make the most of what you have, where you have it, while you have it." on one side and “Do Not Disturb, Genius at Work” on the other. If you did not receive one, it may be because we don’t have your mailing address. Click here to send Beth a note with your mailing address and we will send you one for F-R-E-E!


2. Beth is scheduled in Hawaii, Las Vegas, the Midwest and the South over the next 6 months. She can be in your area with just a phone call. "Have microphone, will travel!" Check with her office to see when she will be in your neck of the woods, and save a little on the airfare. And remember, if you are holding a meeting in Phoenix, call Beth. If she isn't the right speaker for you, she can help you find one.

Need to make some family or company conference calls? Try this one: http://www.freeconferencecall.com

Wondering about what makes something work? Not sure how to find it on the 'net? Try this link: http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Love is in the air, you know. Beth has hearts all over the place. She told me I am her Ballentimes. I am not sure what that is, I saw a TV ad for scotch by that name, but I don't think Chihuahuas came from Scotland. Well, I guess Lezard is my Ballentimes. He sleeps a lot and he's put on a lot of weight since we were pups. But he's still my sweetie. He's the only one that can live with me, so that says somethin'. When you get older you think different about love. Sometimes I just sit and watch him sleep - he's funny when he's dreaming about chasing cats. His paws start shaking and he makes funny squeaking noises. He says I snore. I don't think I snore. I'm just talking in my sleep. I'm tellin' him I love him!

And I Love YOU! Happy Ballentines Day!

Xena (The real Chihuahua at Beth's house!)

Click here to email me (Xena)! (You don't think humans are the only ones to get fan mail do you?)

[Editors note: Attitudes and advice given out by Chihuahuas do not reflect the opinions of management. However, in the interest of political correctness and recognition of multi-canine diversity, we will let her speak her mind. We are not responsible if you take her advice.]