Self Development-Inspirational Films as Stepping Stone

Self Development-Inspirational Films as Stepping Stone

Development is development and yearned by all both consciously and otherwise, from personal to community, sustainable economic development. All require vital prerequisites for achievement. Evidently, some people always fail while others are almost always high fliers There are kinds of habits, attitudes that shape the character of potential winners which makes up the secrets of their success, Some are inherent while others are acquired but all need constant polishing to achieve greater heights.

Many times, the attitude of hope guided by not easily giving up on challenges broadens the mind and intellect thereby opening up and discovering better methods of doing things. Famous people including athletes, political leaders and states men of impeccable records who people adore have mostly gone through transformational episodes of life with different tests both pleasant and otherwise, that motivated them (as ought to)with extra ordinary perseverance. Stories of the twists and turns of life indeed are lessons to behold and reckon and should equally serve as guiding lights, silver lining to others so as to compensate present or previous unpleasant circumstances which will eventually lead (you) to attaining those wonderful goals you have always craved for and envisaged. It is will it, act upon pragmatically and it will definitely appear before you as it has for others including some of heroes in different walks of life.

Success is an evolutionary process-babies for instance start their locomotional activities by learning how to sit all the way through standing, running and riding a bike. There are certainly bumps in between these processes, if babies can persevere and soar despite these odds, there is definitely no excuse for grown ups to shirk certain and generic goals or functions because of some (surmountable) challenges. You should be a master of circumstances rather than a slave to. Indeed, life is essentially the way we take things and the state we are, not the way things are. It is all about perception and taking the right one. Apparent weaknesses can be tactfully converted to sources of strength and merit.

That others achieved great feats in life their extraordinary crippling circumstances not withstanding rings a bell-a big bell! Reading about, knowing and acquainting self of stories about great minds that passed the tests of success can be applied to your situation in your own peculiar way for personal and other motives .Recent documentary films, proactive documentary film, inspirational films and inspirational motivating, materials provide supported catalysts, mind map inspiration, that enhance success to match and surpass high fliers.

As E de Bono aptly put I'' No way of looking at things is too sacred to be reconsidered, no way of doing things is beyond improvement" .Fearing challenges or obstacles is a profound weakness-shirk that! Be the best you have always dreamed of to the fullest do what you want when you want: o. The world is yours for God has granted will power in your hands .Excel-good luck!

About the Author

Mohammed is a development enthusiast and environmentalist who believes in the utilization of human faculties for growth and prosperity. Get your recent motivational inspirational and documentary films at http://www.successanddevelopment.info

How To Become Inspired

"Too much perspiration is due to not enough inspiration." ~ Ryan Biddulph
When do you do your best work? When it doesn't feel like work. The effortless way is the best.
When inspired nothing feels like work. It's as if God is doing everything for you. I liken it to being an observer. When I'm really inspired my tasks aren't mine anymore. Someone else is doing the work. I'm watching and enjoying.

This state is pure inspiration.

Hard Work Brings More Hard Work
Don't believe for a second that you have to work hard and long to achieve a goal, or you'll make the grave mistake of working hard and long to achieve your goals. Of course you have to be persistent, but don't picture or believe in the myth of working hard for years or that will become your reality.

You attract whatever you devote your attention and energy to. Hard work brings more hard work.
On the flip side inspired action brings more inspired action. Picture yourself happy, doing what you love to do continually and this state will persist.

"When inspired, stay that way." ~ Ryan Biddulph
One bizarre aspect of human nature is that it feels uncomfortable to be in an inspired state most of the time. People around you who aren't inspired will attempt to knock you down to their level. Inspired people are "annoying", "nuts", or "in their own world", according to the despondent masses.

World-renowned successes were all considered out of their mind - because they lived in their mind. They held visions, remained inspired despite all contrary things going on *out of their mind* (see the irony?) They figured out how to become inspired and remained in that state for sustained periods for time.

How to become inspired?

Hold Your Vision
Your vision if your compass. Hold it and you'll know when you've strayed. When negative emotions set it you're off course.

Set the alarm every hour, still your mind, and see yourself in possession of your goal for at least 5 minutes. The positive energy generated from this practice keeps you in a high vibe throughout the day.

Go For A Walk
Nature is perfect. Observe and become inspired by the perfection around you. Nature is invigorating. There is no man-made mental stimulant that compares to nature. A double shot espresson ain't nothing compared to the hour long walks in 20 degree temps which I've habitually taken part of recently.

Everything works perfectly. Absorb this perfection. Realize that you're a part of the Whole.

We are part of nature. We are inherently perfect. We were created in the image of perfection. Our consiousness just gets in the darn way of this perfection.

Yes, we are born perfect, and are meant to stay perfect.

I bet that some of you felt uncomfortable reading that statement. That's you getting in your own way. It's called a blockage, and the basis of a blockage is a limiting belief picked up from someone else. You can let go these limited beliefs. One way to release a blockage is to stay inspired as consistently as possible.

Keep walking.

Surround Yourself With Inspiring People
Keep company with people who teach you how to become inspired.

Seek pick-me-ups, not pull-me-downs. Surround yourself with inspirational people and you stay inspired.

This applies to people in person and prose. Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edision, Henry Ford, and Bob Proctor can be your buddies too. Read about them, picture yourself sitting with them, talking with them. Use them as an example. They were inspired to create world-changing innovations and you are too!

How do you become inspired?

About the Author

A cash gifting club. Benefit from the kindness of like-minded people.

Inspirational Dad

A lot of people can talk about how their father had an inspirational affect on their lives. In the case of my father I didn't see that until I was older and had finally quit arguing with him. My father was what they call a self made man. Born in 1907 of immigrant Austrian parents, he was sent home in first grade because he didn't speak enough English. At age 16 his father died and he had to quit school and stay home and run the farm. His older brother had left home and he was left to raise three younger sisters three years later when his mother died. His youngest sister was seven years old at the time and he waited until she was out of school before he married my mother in 1938.

During the depression he would go to Minneapolis and Detroit to work for the winter in factory jobs, then come home in spring to put the crop in. In fall he would harvest what little crop he had then do it all over again. In 1936 he needed $250 to pay the taxes on the land. Only one bank would lend him the money and he had to put all the land and the livestock up as collateral.

It took him until 1940 to pay it back. By 1950 he had paid all the girls for their share of the farm. He never bowered money again. His saying was, "don't work for your money, make your money work for you". He practiced what he preached. He always fixed the equipment. This brought about many arguments when I tried to farm with him in 73-74. I wanted to buy new equipment and buy more land. We didn't see eye to eye and of course he was right. Many of my friends who did what I wanted to do were broke by the farm crises of the early 80's.

His many stories of his early years, with some very colorful characters, his investing knowledge, and his ability to work out a problem. All his abilities with only a eighth grade education always amazes me. Farming, he never made much money, but what little he made he invested and retired for 33 years very comfortable, with many trips taken. My two brothers and two sister and myself are very proud to have been so lucky to have had a father like mine.

About the Author

Lester enjoys writing on various subjects. Here is an interesting website http://clearancelcdtvs.com/ which helps people find the best cheap LCD TVs and information they are looking for when buying an LCD.

Motivational Songs for Children of All Ages

Motivational Songs are good for the mind, body and spirit in kids of all ages. If you are like me, a kid looking at 40, listening to motivational songs gives me that much needed lift in the middle of the day transforming my whole mood, bringing me to my feet, and inviting me to dance. And more importantly, for my own kids, motivational songs help instill valuable life lessons that will conjure up powerful memories for many years to come.

A song is motivational if it has a positive and encouraging message. For example, songs with lyrics like "You can get it if you really want, but you must try," suggest ideas of self-confidence and hard work. However, some songs might have an upbeat rhythm that clears the mind and moves the body...like in the theme song from the Rocky series "Gonna Fly Now". That vitalizing horn piece, along with that rock guitar solo, oh and that string structure are so powerful it gives you that little push, the extra juiceto get up and go.

Even school educators find that the right music helps promote learning by creating a desirable environment and energizing activities for children. It can also influence them to increase their attention, enhance their memory, let go of tension, and so much more. How cool is that?

As a mother of 2 little kids, I also find that motivational songs give them positive sayings that you would not be humiliated to hear them repeat or sing along to. Additionally, for parents, motivational lyrics become words of wisdom to use when coaching kids about the "trials and tribulations" of life that Princess Tiana sings about in "Almost There"(SEE BELOW). Basically, they work just like inspirational quotes do. But, since they have the potential to get stuck in the listener's head and repeat into oblivion, motivational songs are that much more powerful!

Thankfully, motivational songs can be found in all genres and from an array of artists old and new, popular and not so famous. Although there are a ton to choose from, here are just a few I have exposed my children to. These are in no particular order.

1. "Accentuate the Positive" sung by Dr. John, is a highly stylized remake of the old standard that was featured in the movie The Mighty Ducks. This one leaves everyone singing along to some excellent words of wisdom that were originally written by Harold Arlen who was reported to have been inspired by a church sermon he had heard with the same title.

2. "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" is a beloved Disney classic tune from Peter Pan. Its delightful "old school" charm is still refreshing after all of this time.

3. "We Did It!" from Dora the Explorer series is simply a jubilee of achievement. It has an undeniably infectious beat and always brings you to your feet to dance.

4. "Walking Tall" by Ziggy Marley and featuring Paul Simon, is a new catchy tune written in the tradition of his father's positive lyricism. There is an important lesson being taught here, and is done in such a cute way that it is destined to become a hit!

5. "Tomorrow" performed by Alicia Morton from the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Annie. I can remember those lyrics being there for me as a kid, and hope other children find them as equally inspiring.

6. Although "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah" sung by James Baskett isn't a favorite yet amongst my kiddies, Grandma loves it and each time we are in the car, that is her first request. Maybe I should have picked the Miley Cyrus version...which leads me to...

7. "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus is the one the 3-year-old loves best. There is a great message in this one, too. But, I don't even think she cares! It's Hannah Montana!

8. "All Star" by Smash Mouth is a late nineties classic with a great message so wholesome it has already been featured in countless movies, commercials, and "best of" compilations and never gets old. Not only does it make you want to get up and dance, but it fills your kids' mouths with some great words that can raise self-esteem and inner confidence.

9. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley is a reggae classic that also hits home for tons of people..."Don't worry 'bout a thing...every little thing's gonna be alright." Who doesn't need to hear like that from time to time? It's a excellent song for kids and certainly has lyrics to live by.

10. "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews is first and foremost always a great vocal workout! She hits those notes and holds them as long as only she can. But in her rendition of this popular standard, she clearly delivers a great solution to anyone feeling down in the dumps...Make a list of your favorite things. Pull them out when you need them, and let it work miracles on your mood. Great idea!

11. "Almost There" by Anika Noni Rose from Disney's new The Princess and the Frog film is so excellent it was nominated for an Academy Award this year. It's so easy to sing along to, all the while relaying an important message about determination. How many times have you needed a song like this to help you stay motivated when getting close to the finish line?

The important thing to remember is that by taking the time to do a little picking and choosing of what children listen to, just like monitoring what they watch, parents can reattain some power to control the ideas and images that invade their children's minds. Furthermore, by feeding them with positive ideas and images through music, parents can cause their children to become stronger, more independent, and successful individuals. Pretty cool, huh?

And, did I mention CHEAP? Amazon not only lists "Walk Tall" by Ziggy Marley as FREE, but each download is only .99 cents a piece. And, for a collection of 11 songs, that totals out to about $9.90. Now that's a bargain! You don't even have to leave the comfort of your home. It downloads instantly and you can unveil it to your kids within minutes.

Simply put, motivational songs are a fun, easy, and cheap way to teach your children about hard work, discipline, determination, respect for others and more. And as parents, this is the most important work we can do and motivational songs allow us to do it "in the most delightful way!"

To preview and purchase the songs listed above visit http://motivational-songs.com/motivational-songs-for-kids-of-all-ages

About the Author

Jennifer Washington is a stay-at-home mom returning to work to pursue life-long dream of launching a successful music company. Together with her partner, they are building the web's largest list of motivational songs to serve a a resource for people looking for some extra encouragement. To check it out, please click here: http://www.motivational-songs.com

Changes To Make For A Better World

Everywhere you look lately it seems to be more bad news. You watch the television, read a newspaper or search the web and what do you see? A floundering economy, war, murder, abuse, fear, rape, inequality, lack of cooperation, hatred, and dishonesty. What for? When will it end? What will it take for people to understand that this needs to stop or we are all going down the toilet together?

Our future, notice I said OUR future, is the collective responsibility of every single one of us. We cannot point our fingers at another individual or toward a situation outside of ourselves and say that they are to blame for the state of things right now. Change starts inside each one of us. This is not something we can leave to our children or future generations to fix because it is affecting us right now. It hinders the way in which we live, thrive, love and enjoy life. Change begins with you.

The first change we need to make is this issue of "pride" that is plaguing our species right now. At what costs do we defend our pride? How many people must lose their lives, their well being, their children, their parents, their brothers, sisters or friends before we realize just how pointless it all is? You may think that you have been "wronged" in some way, but is it worth losing your happiness, life or wellbeing, or that of your loved ones just to save your pride? I certainly hope not. True self confidence and respect is achieved when we learn to love ourselves. As long as we love ourselves there is no need for pride, status or anything else of that nature.

Pride for your country does not matter. Pride for your race or religion does not matter. Pride for yourself does not matter. Having compassion, kindness and love for each other and for ourselves DOES matter. We need to look past our differences and begin to treat each other as family. If we can learn to forgo pride, we can greatly reduce war, murder, fear, inequality and hatred in our world, and what an improvement that would be!

The next change we need to make is forgiveness. Contrary to popular belief, forgiveness is not something you do on behalf of the person who has wronged you, it is something you do for yourself. When we harbor ill will toward another person we aren't harming them, we are harming ourselves. Hatred, anger or resentment can make you ill, it can cloud your thoughts, it can waste your energy and make it harder for you to achieve anything worthwhile. By forgiving someone you are not surrendering, condoning their actions or handing them the victory. You do not even need to like the person or welcome them back into your heart or home. By forgiving you are simply reclaiming your life, your energy, your happiness and your wellbeing from their grasp. By forgiving you are making the choice to stop letting them hurt you and you are making the choice to stop hurting yourself. Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we can do in life, but as with anything that comes with great effort it also holds the greatest awards. By learning how to forgive, we can significantly reduce war, murder, fear, abuse, and hatred.

After forgiveness comes the need for us to have compassion for one another. True compassion should come from the heart and not through compliance to laws or from the fear of consequences. Compassion is far above compliance or civility. True compassion comes from loving and respecting another as you do yourself. True compassion means treating others as you would like to be treated. True compassion means to do no harm and offer help when needed. Compassion means to think of how YOU would feel if the roles were reversed before acting. Compassion means to see and treat every other being as your equal. Compassion means to do your part to end pain WHEREVER you see it.

Compassion should extend beyond humans to our animal friends as well. How can we be truly compassionate if we ignore their cries and pain just because they cannot speak our language? If we turn a blind eye to the pain of any one living being we can turn a blind eye to them all, including our fellow man. If people could ONLY be compassionate there would be no more war, no more murder, no more abuse, no more rape, no more inequality, no more lack of cooperation, no more hatred, and no more dishonesty. The lack of compassion is at the heart of almost EVERY single problem we experience here on earth, including the economy. Our economy would be fine right now if people, politicians and institutions replaced their greed and selfishness with compassion and cooperation.

Can you imagine how wonderful the world would be if everyone was compassionate and kind? If everyone was forgiving, loving, helpful and cooperative. If we accepted, included and protected one another. If people were caring, understanding and sympathetic toward one another. If people recognized the beauty in all others and appreciated them for it. If people were thoughtful and considerate. If people were honest. If people loved themselves and each other enough to value our collective safety, happiness and wellbeing above everything else. Oh, what a world that would be!

Many people will think that I am utopian when I say this, but it IS possible to achieve. Perhaps not in this lifetime, but maybe it can be a reality for our children or grandchildren. When we make the changes within ourselves that we would like to see, we influence those who we come into contact with. Start with YOU. Learn how to ditch your pride, work on loving and accepting yourself, practice forgiveness and develop compassion for yourself and for others. Let go of negativity such as fear, guilt, worry and sorrow. Do simple things throughout your day to lift up those around you. Give smiles and compliments to people wherever you see them. Hold open doors for people, talk to one another, get to know each other and offer your help and understanding. Do your best and live honestly. Think positively. Focus on things you enjoy and spend quality time with the people you love. When you are happy, fulfilled and full of love, you have more to offer to the world. It is that simple. One person at a time can expand to encompass cities, then eventually countries and the entire planet, but it always begins with you.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for inspirational purposes only and the techniques and ideas described herein are not to be used as a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment or without prior consultation with, approval of, and under the supervision of your physician or therapist. Application of the information, techniques and ideas in this article is at the sole risk and discretion of the reader.

About the Author

Melissa Marie Marcy is an author, artist and Reiki Master. She is the author of The Manifestation Guidebook and How To Be In Tune With The Infinite, and has produced a series of Reiki charged nature meditation videos and mp3's. For more information or to schedule a Reiki session, please visit her website at http://www.virtualitystudio.com.

Redundant? Do you know someone who can inspire you to greater things?

There is no doubt that living with redundancy, and the fear of redundancy, can be tough. So tough in fact that it can feel almost impossible to see through the fog and look for the positives. Look for what long term good might come out of a temporarily difficult situation.

In such times we are often encouraged to look for inspiration from others who have risen above seemingly impossible hurdles, met challenges head on and come out the other end much better people.

People like Jamie Andrew http://www.jamieandrew.com who continues climbing mountains despite losing both hands and feet in a climbing accident in 1999. Or Victor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor, who lived a full live following his liberation, establishing himself as a world renowned psychiatrist and writing many books including 'Man's Search for Meaning'.

And whilst I agree that these achievements are to be applauded and we can most certainly all learn from them, I wonder whether in looking at such a high level we are missing inspiration which might lie closer to home. From amongst those we know and love. Whose achievements, whilst perhaps not in the same superhuman league, nevertheless because they involve someone we care about can have more of an impact in helping us see things in a different, more positive light?

What prompted this thinking was a phone call from my sister Susan about her husband Graham's latest mishap. Graham had a nasty fall on the ice in the week before Christmas and dislocated his knee - his leg was strapped up and he was given crutches as a temporary measure over Christmas but told he would be in for an operation as soon as a slot could be found. And true to the hospital's word, the operation was carried out before the year end.

Graham knows that his recovery is going to be long and painful but what he wasn't expecting was to be back in hospital within a few hours of being discharged. It seems there was a problem with the wound which resulted in excessive bleeding, bad enough to prompt a '999' call and, as Susan said, 'the room ended up looking as though it was in the middle of the Battle of the Somme'

Now all this would be bad enough but Graham has had more than his fair share of problems in recent times. Firstly, there was his heart problem which necessitated a number of stays in hospital, an operation and continuing daily medication. Then he was diagnosed with testicular cancer - another operation and regular hospital visits for the next five years.

Having gone through all this, who could blame him if he became overwhelmed by the bad luck which has dogged him over the last few years? If he took it out on his family or became even the teeniest bit depressed?
I certainly wouldn't but that's not Graham's way. His way is to find a joke and an upside to everything. And there is always an upside to be found. This time it is that, once they have patched his leg up again and discharged him, once he has sorted out with his boss some work to do from home, it will still leave plenty of time to get some extra guitar practice in. For playing the guitar is a recently discovered passion and the chance to give a boost to this newly acquired skill is just too good to miss.

And I find that ....truly inspirational. To be able to rise above this latest setback and just see the opportunity is a lesson for us all.

Graham's story is an inspiration to me - who do you know who has done something which can inspire you to rise above your own challenges?

About the Author

Allison Galbraith is the owner of Macintosh Wright, a broad-based personal development and business coaching organisation.

Allison is a qualified Management and Leadership Coach with qualifications from both the LCH and the Institute of Leadership.

Her background is in financial services. She is a Chartered Insurer and has a Key Account Management Diploma from the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. Visit her today at http://www.macintoshwright.com.

Bible Studies For Christian Small Groups

"What's the key to inspirational bible studies for my group?" That's a question I'm sometimes asked. My reply is to learn from the shepherd, after all God's people are described in the bible as sheep. So how does a shepherd feed his sheep?

A good shepherd will lead his sheep into pastures of rich, green and lush grass. But, he will not let them overstay there. If they stay too long in one pasture, no matter how green it is, they will eventually eat the grass down to the roots and destroy the roots. So he will move his sheep from pasture to pasture. When the flock has had a good feed in one pasture, he will move them into another, allowing the grass in the first pasture to grow once again.

There are many pastures in the Word of God. Yet, a Christian small group's leader may sometimes have a liking for certain pastures, leaving others virtually untouched. Our role, however, is to bring the whole counsel of God. A balanced, well-rounded presentation of truth is the best safeguard against heresy. Heresy is usually truth which becomes overemphasized. There are often strings on our harps we have never touched.

Type of Pasture Examples
Doctrinal: e.g. Justification, the Person of Christ, the Second Coming of Christ
Book Study: e.g. Genesis, Job, 1 Corinthians, James
Character Study: e.g. the life of David, the Patriarchs, Peter, Paul
Expository Study: e.g. Psalm 139, the Sermon on the Mount, the Epistle to the Galatians
Topical Study: e.g. Forgiveness, bible studies on Marriage, Finances
Devotional: e.g. Worship, Prayer, Relationship with Jesus
Character Development: e.g. The fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, Growing in Christ
Christian Service: e.g. Servanthood, Discovering our Gifts, Evangelism
The Godhead: e.g. the Names of God, the Life of Christ, the Work of the Spirit
Practical Learning: e.g. How to share our faith, How to read the Bible, Dealing with grief

Bible Study Styles
One way to ensure you have inspirational bible studies is to vary the style. Variety is the spice of life. The most monotonous of jobs and chores can be made more interesting by doing them in different ways. Conversely, even the most exciting career can be turned into drudgery and boredom through routine. There are different ways of doing guided bible studies and the leader should be creative in this.

Here are some different styles:
The question/answer basis, where a question is asked, a bible reference is looked up and the answer is written down. This is usually suitable for younger Christians, as it saves them from the embarrassment of not knowing much on the subject you are studying.

Another style is to study a passage, then discuss it together, bringing out its applications. The group would read a paragraph or so and specific questions would be asked, leading to further discussion and application.

Yet another approach is to do a full bible study for half the allotted time or so, then have four or five discussion-type questions for the remaining half of the time.

Another style is, at some stage in the study, to split the group into cells of three or four people and give each cell a question (preferably not all the same question). Give the cells twenty minutes or so to discuss and jot down a brief summary of their discussion, then re-form the whole group. Each cell shares with the group its question and their findings. Not only does this provide another means of approach, but inevitably shy and withdrawn people will share more openly with three or four than they would with 13 or 14.

Do's and Don'ts
*Never lecture. Encourage discussion. One of the major characteristics of a Christian small group is that it must do what can't be done in congregational meetings. With regard to the teaching this includes having the freedom to discuss the bible together in contrast to listening to one person preach from it.

*Be aware of shy people who like to 'hide'. Draw them in, but don't embarrass them.
*Don't allow anyone to dominate the discussion.
*Don't wander; keep on track. Avoid 'red-herrings' (distractions, diversions).
*Don't let the study go for too long. Let them want to come back for more! If you finish late, people may be polite to you as the leader, but they wont come back. Many have to get up early the next day for work, etc.
*Never bluff. If you dont know an answer, say so. Tell the group that you will try to have an answer for the following week.
*Don't argue. Truth is received by revelation, not argumentation.
*Don't ride your own hobby horse.
*Never use the study to 'get' at someone. The Word is to build people up, not put them down
*Keep it positive. Communicate hope and inspire faith in God.

About the Author

Ken Legg is pastor of New Beginnings Christian Church on the Gold Coast of Australia. He has authored several books, including This Is The Life! (How To Establish Your Heart In The Grace Of God), It's Not What You Eat That's Making You Sick But What's Eating You, etc. You can sign up for Ken's free ezine, Grace Roots, on his website at http://www.small-groups-ministry.com/Bible-Studies.html