I Believe. . .

I received this email from a friend, think it is very worthwhile sharing . . .

I Believe. . .
A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we lived!

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe....
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe....
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe.....
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe....
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe....
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs
to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe....
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe....
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many
birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe....
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe....
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe....
That your life can be changed in a matter of
seconds by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life
are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

Motivational Learning

So, I've been taking these online classes through this training website we have at work. There are hundreds of classes to take - anything from computer classes (which I don't need), to telephone etiquette to product specific and technical training. These classes are a necessary training tool for me as I work to advance in my job. I've been in basically the same position for 5.5 years and it's time to get into something new.

There was a class I took yesterday that centered on customer service via phone and the attitudes conveyed so the customer feels like they are truly valued. Something really stuck with me; the trainer said that for every 3oo positive things you can hear in one day, we WILL experience 1500 negatives - whether it be words, phrases or attitudes around us. That's a 5:1 ration of negativity in a person's day! That really hit home with me. When other people are negative around me or to me, it can bring me down to their level in a heart beat - and I will also say vise versa. Today was my day to be negative at first. I had my weekly weigh in and gained .2 pounds. Now, when I left my house, my scale gave me every indication that I would hit my latest, personal goal today. I recalibrated it so it should have been accurate. However, the one at the meeting was not accurate, at least in my head. I left the meeting feeling like a failure. But really, folks - IT'S ONLY .2 LBS! Come on! What's wrong with me?!

It wasn't until this afternoon that I suddenly had a thought. Let me find 5 positive things that happened or were said today to reverse that. So I made a list:

1. I was told by the receptionist at my meeting this morning that she had read my blog. She said I am "well written." Wow - I mean, I try to be careful about how a write but I haven't thought of myself as a good writer lately. In the Jaycees I would do the Write-up competitions and do pretty well in them but I didn't do it a lot so didn't really take myself seriously. That was really a great compliment for me.

2. Seems to be "Happy go lucky." Well, for those that know me, there are many times when that isn't the case - especially when you think of how I driven I can be. However, I TRY to be more happy than sad, mad or upset. I'll have to put that question on Facebook and ask my friends what they think REALLY think of me. I'm OK with everyone being honest - constructive criticism doesn't hurt me! Regardless, it was a a fun thing to think about and came from a person that has never really had a chance to get to know me well aside from being part of a small high school. Hope I can keep that up!

3. Valuable Resource. Anyone who knows me can agree on that one, even me! Love networking and meeting new people, as well as reconnecting with old friends or acquaintances. If you need something, I can usually find a way to get it for you!

4. Reliable. One of our customers came in today to just chat with me for a few minutes while some product was being loaded onto his truck. He asked "when are you going to be in that position Sarah is in? I need to talk to someone that is reliable and I know will get the job done." Sometimes I fall off the "dependable" truck, but not often. However, I do have that fear of failing someone and don't ever want to take on more than I can handle. I've taken pride over the years to be consistent in my work ethics, but every once in a great while I just simply tank. But guess if it only happens once in a blue moon, I'm not doing too bad.

5. Thanks for your help! I've been helping a friend that's going through a divorce. The soon to be "ex" has demanded supervised visitation with the 4 kids. I'm not sure why, are they afraid the other will HUG the kids to death or something? I mean, come on!! Because of my overwhelming desire to make sure this parent gets to see their children - and they are GREAT kids - I've given up several opportunities for fun, including a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see my hero retired from my favorite hockey team. That just KILLED me. Although you can't really make up that chance, I WILL get to meet the "GREAT ONE" in person again (although in a more memorable setting than last time). My friend is good friends w/Joe and is going to ensure I get to have my time :)

By the time I left work, I was in a pretty good mood. However, that was lost tonight when the Twins lost their playoff game against the Yankees because of dumb-a$$ umpire that is biased. I really hate the Yankees (except for Joe Girardi - he's a former Rockie catcher, you know).