MORNING COFFEE

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When you can't see how you will get it all done, the thing to do is to do what you can. Even when it's difficult to imagine getting the job finished, the thing to do is to take the first step. Creating something of value takes time and effort. The thing to do is to make that effort. Getting beyond the difficult challenges will require persistence and diligence. The thing to do is to keep going. When you're not sure where to start, the thing to do is to find some action that will move you forward. Even if you start slowly, it's much better than falling further behind. When you don't know how you'll continue, the thing to do is to focus on the next effort. The more diligently you work on it, the more good and valuable options you'll see opening up to you. Whatever may come your way, the thing to do is to make the most of all that you have to work with. And every moment will move you closer to where you have chosen to go.

A LAW OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING

I am impressed by an incident that happened during Ignacy Paderewski's (November 18, 1860 - June 29, 1941) career. The famous Polish pianist agreed to play a concert organized by two Stanford University students working their way through school. Paderewski's manager said they would have to guarantee the artist a fee of $2,000. The boys agreed and eventually the concert was held.

Though the two student promoters worked hard, they took in only $1,600. Discouraged, they told Paderewski of their efforts and handed him the $1,600 with a note promising to pay him the balance of $400. But the artist tore up the note and gave them back the $1,600. "Take your expenses out of this," he said, "give yourselves each 10% of what's left for your work, and let me have the rest."

Years later, Paderewski was faced with feeding the people of his war-ravaged Poland. Amazingly, even before a request was made, thousands of tons of food were sent to Poland by the United States.

Paderewski later traveled to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover, who headed up the US relief effort. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski," said Hoover, "I knew that the need was great. And besides, though you may not remember it, I was one of two college students whom you generously helped when I was in need."

The story illustrates a law of successful living: sooner or later we will reap what we sow. Paderewski reaped a harvest of kindness he had sown years before. Those who sow love will eventually reap love. Those who sow goodness will reap even more. Those who sow fear and mistrust will reap an unwanted harvest later.

It's a basic law of successful living. And powerful enough to change a life.

Steve Goodier

Even though you have every right to be angry, you have every reason to let it go. For when you let go of your anger, you make more room for joy. Even though your first impulse may be to retaliate, you're likely to be better off when you reconcile and forgive. After all, when you've been hurt, it makes no sense for you to prolong the hurt with your own attitude and actions. Even though the world is often cruel and unfair, it does not have to get you down. The more fully and willingly you accept what is, the more power you have to improve upon it. Even though many things will come along that could be frustrating and annoying, you can always choose to respond with patience and with grace. By so doing, you'll be building strength as well as focusing your energy in a more positive and productive direction. Even though events may not go your way, you can continue to move in the direction of your own choosing. Success depends very little on being given what you want, and much more on becoming the best you can be. Even though life has its setbacks, disappointments and tragedies, they pale in comparison to the new and positive possibilities that increase with each passing moment. Choose to fully live the immeasurable blessing that is your life, and every day will move you forward. Ralph Marston

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