Month: December 2015

If Not Courage, What Do You Have?

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”

~ Maya Angelou

Tune in to the RAVE WAVES BlogTalkRadio show, ASPIRE TO INSPIRE where this post is the topic of a lively discussion. This is a production of Rave Reviews Book Club.

RW - Aspire to Inspire

  Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) is one of the most celebrated women, black or white, in American history. This multitalented woman achieved excellence in everything she put her mind and heart into. She won awards internationally as an author, poet, and made significant contributions in the fields of screenwriting, acting, singing and directing. Being raised amid racism and victimized sexually as a child gave her a burning desire to right social wrongs, so she became a social activist and good friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Maya Angelou’s life was a model of courage and inspiration. Continue reading “If Not Courage, What Do You Have?”

What Winners Have That Losers Don’t!

” Winners view ticking clocks as precious time, and work fervently to accomplish much before the sun goes down.

Losers view ticking clocks as the means to get them closer to the end of their 8-hour work day.”

~ Nonnie Jules

My close friend and colleague, Nonnie Jules, at Rave Reviews Book Club, always inspires me to be the very best I can be, both in my personal life and my professional life as a writer at Fiora Books and administrator at Rave Reviews. She is the founder and President of our book club, an excellent writer in her own right, as well as a loving mother and wife. I do not know anyone who dedicates more hours in any given day to promote the well-being of others. This quote, along with many other pearls of wisdom, can be found at Quotes By Nonnie. Continue reading “What Winners Have That Losers Don’t!”

How Disabled Are We?

“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.”

~ Stephen Hawking

Born in 1942 and suffering from early onset ALS, English scientist and author, Stephen Hawking, has gradually become paralyzed over the years. Today, he speaks with the help of a device attached to his cheek muscle. The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, began to manifest itself during his university years, but it did not stop him from becoming one of the world’s most renowned cosmologists. He described himself as both determined and obstinate while he doggedly struggled to maintain a normal life as the disease worsened. He became a popular scientific writer with his best-selling book,  A Brief History Of Time. Continue reading “How Disabled Are We?”

If It’s Easy – It’s Probably Bad!

“It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.”

~ Confucius

Confucius, 551 – 479 BC, was a Chinese teacher, politician and philosopher who had an enormous impact on Chinese culture through the ensuing centuries. Both personal and political morality were important to him as was justice and sincerity. As well, Confucius espoused The Golden Rule: “do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself.” Continue reading “If It’s Easy – It’s Probably Bad!”

How Critical Is Optimism?

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

~ Helen Keller

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, political activist and public speaker. She was the first person, both deaf and blind, to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The play and film, The Miracle Worker, recount the now-famous story of how Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through her disabilities and taught her to communicate with the world. As a member of the Socialist Party of America, she campaigned for women’s suffrage and other social causes. Continue reading “How Critical Is Optimism?”

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