Today's quote comes from Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), whose impressive resume includes everything from Founding Father of the United States and printer to author, scientist, and diplomat. "Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning." - Benjamin Franklin This one is a lot easier to decipher than prior quotes I've featured on the blog. Perhaps Franklin's quote predated a similar one we've come to know quite well: "Actions speak louder than words." I couldn't agree more with Franklin, and he would know this better than most as he himself worked in the political arena. We all have stories of encountering politicians or salesmen great at schmoozing with the public but once you try to dig deeper you're hard-pressed to find anything profound. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk. They fail to back up their words with concrete steps toward achieving whatever it is they've promised. Very rarely do I ever take someon...

Today's quote comes from Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), principal leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India: "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - Gandhi Gandhi's quote is quite simple. If you think you're smart and capable of great things, that's exactly what you'll do. If you think you're not deserving of all the rewards that come from hard work, you won't get them. We are masters of our own destiny, and our lot in life is largely psychological. If you remain positive even in the face of life's toughest challenges -- if you refuse to give up -- you'll eventually prevail. However, if you allow only negative thoughts to pervade your mind, all that will do is induce negative situations. It is then you can become a prisoner of your own mind. Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your conse...

Quote of the Day - How to Understand People Today's quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American lecturer, poet, and essayist who championed individualism and played a central role in the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Even though Emerson lived in the 1800s, I feel this quote is still quite relevant in today's world. When he says "the world," he is really referring to society as a whole, which often pressures us to live up to certain expectations. There's always going to be something about you that people take issue with. This might include the fact you're: A virgin Not into drinking, smoking, drugs, or other substances Not married Child-free (and may never plan to have any children) Shy or introverted In a non-traditional, low-paying field (teaching, etc.) Of a...