A Dad’s Wish Fulfilled

“I have fulfilled my father’s wish to be a teacher as, through my music, I teach generations of people about my culture and the happiness that is found in just living life. As a performer, I want people to feel their hearts sing and their spirits soar.”

~ Celia Cruz,
a.k.a. Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Singer-Performer (1950-2003), 80+ Albums & Songs Recorded, Gold Records (23X), Latin Grammy Awards (4X), Grammy Awards (5X), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1987), Guinness World Record Book (1987 Carnaval Tenerife – Islas Canarias, Spain), Yale University Honorary Doctorate of Music (1989), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (1990 Miami, FL, Calle Ocho Walk of Fame Star (1991), Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award in Music (1991 Hollywood, CA), Hispanic Women Achievers Award (1992),
Desi Awards Favorite Film Actress (1992 Hollywood, CA), Encuentro Lifetime Achievement Award (1992 Washington D.C.), La MUSA de Oro Life Time Achievement Award (1994 Caracas, Venezuela), Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame Award (1994), University of Panama Life Time Achievement Award (1994), Walk of Fame Star Amador Bendayan (1995 Caracas, Venezuela), Costa Rica’s Walk of Fame Star (1997), Galeria Walk of Fane Star (1997 Mexico City, Mexico), Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (1998 Washington, DC)
University of Miami Honorary Doctorate in Music (1999), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (1999)
New York’s Central Park Summer Stage (2002), Calle Celia Cruz Street Dedication (2004 Tenerife, Spain), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (2004 Union City, New Jersey), Guinness World Record Book Longest Working Career as Salsa Artist (2005), Celia Cruz Square Dedication (2005 Hollywood, CA) & United States Postal Service Commemorative Postage Stamp (2011)

~

When the Right Opportunity Presents Itself

“When opportunity presents itself grab it. Hold on tight and don’t let go.”

~ Celia Cruz,
a.k.a. Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Singer-Performer (1950-2003), 80+ Albums & Songs Recorded, Gold Records (23X), Latin Grammy Awards (4X), Grammy Awards (5X), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1987), Guinness World Record Book (1987 Carnaval Tenerife – Islas Canarias, Spain), Yale University Honorary Doctorate of Music (1989), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (1990 Miami, FL, Calle Ocho Walk of Fame Star (1991), Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award in Music (1991 Hollywood, CA), Hispanic Women Achievers Award (1992),
Desi Awards Favorite Film Actress (1992 Hollywood, CA), Encuentro Lifetime Achievement Award (1992 Washington D.C.), La MUSA de Oro Life Time Achievement Award (1994 Caracas, Venezuela), Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame Award (1994), University of Panama Life Time Achievement Award (1994), Walk of Fame Star Amador Bendayan (1995 Caracas, Venezuela), Costa Rica’s Walk of Fame Star (1997), Galeria Walk of Fane Star (1997 Mexico City, Mexico), Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (1998 Washington, DC)
University of Miami Honorary Doctorate in Music (1999), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (1999)
New York’s Central Park Summer Stage (2002), Calle Celia Cruz Street Dedication (2004 Tenerife, Spain), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (2004 Union City, New Jersey), Guinness World Record Book Longest Working Career as Salsa Artist (2005), Celia Cruz Square Dedication (2005 Hollywood, CA) & United States Postal Service Commemorative Postage Stamp (2011)

~

The Way You’re Living in the Meantime

“Faith is about how you live your life in the meantime, how you make decisions when you don’t know for sure what’s next. What you do with yourself between the last time you heard from God and the next time you hear from God is the ongoing challenge of a life of faith.”

~ Priscilla Marie ‘Cece’ Winans Love,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Talk Show Host, Speaker,
Author, Dove Awards (23X) Stellar Awards (15X) & Grammy Awards (12X)

So, It’s Never Been Done

“I’m a curious person. I like to ask questions. Well, why? People would say, it’s never been done. It’s never been done does not mean that it can’t be done.”

“But I look at failure as education. In that respect, I am so well-educated.”

~ Kathy Ireland
Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Businesswoman, Author, Philanthropist, Activist,
Public Speaker, Anti-Defamation League American Heritage Award (2011), Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Gala Messenger of Peace Award (2012),
California State University honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Ambassador & 9-1-1 For Kids Ambassador

~

One Step in Pursuit of Your Dream

“The fact that you are still here is proof that whatever tried to beat you lost.”

~ Rigel J. Dawson
Author & Minister

~

Storm-Proofing

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

~ Dolly Parton,
Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Record Producer, Actress, Author,
Businesswoman, Humanitarian, Grammy Awards (8X), Grammy Nominee (46X),
Academy Award Nominee (2X), Country Music Association Awards (10X),
Academy of Country Music Awards (7X), American Music Awards (3X), &
Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award

 

Assuring the Survival & Success of Liberty

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

~ John F. Kennedy,
35th President of the United States (1961-1963)

How Long Will Justice Be Crucified & Truth Buried?

“How long will justice be crucified and truth buried?”

“How long? Not long! I came to say to you, this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long because “truth crushed to earth will rise again”. How long? Not long, because “no lie can live forever”. How long? Not long, because “you shall reap what you sow”. How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.,
‘Our God is Marching On!’ Speech (a.k.a ‘How Long? Not Long!’) – March 25 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama
Pastor, Activist & Humanitarian

Socialist, Communist & Marxist Candidates for Georgia Senate: J.O. & R.W.

“The nature of the Communist Party is like the devil itself; it lies in order to keep YOU in line.”

~ Lance Wallnau,
Speaker, Author & Consultant

We Cannot Let This Election Be Stolen!

“We cannot let this election be stolen – we need to be loud, bold, and persistent. We need to contact the legislators in Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia. We need to contact them all and let them feel the heat. These Republican legislators are afraid of the Democrats, afraid of the mob. But it’s not Democrats who put them in office. It’s Republicans and just as Republican voters put them into office, they can kick them right back out again.”

~ Lance Wallnau,
Speaker, Author & Consultant

Reaching Your Goal

“You didn’t come this far, to only come this far.”

~ Derek Grier,
Clergyman, Founding Pastor – Grace Church & Founder – Grace Youth Center

You Can Fail, and That’s OK

“The biggest bit of advice that I’ve ever received,
and something that I’ve seen and experienced, is that,
‘You can fail, and that’s OK – just keep going.
… … It’s that things can fail and absolutely will go wrong –
just keep trying, keep trying, keep trying.’”

~ Tosca Musk
Filmmaker, Executive Producer, Producer, Director & Co-Founder – Passionflix

~

When You Fall, You Can Get Back Up

“I know that being seen as a role model means taking responsibility for all my actions.
I am human, and of course, sometimes I make mistakes.
But, I promise that when I fall, I get back up.”

~ Jennifer Lynn Lopez
Actress, Author, Fashion Designer,
Dancer, Producer & Singer

Trying & Failing at Business

“The entire time I was modeling, I was trying and failing at businesses.
In fact, we would have started our business much sooner had I been more successful.”

“But I look at failure as education. In that respect, I am so well-educated.”

~ Kathy Ireland
Model, Actress, Entrepreneur, Businesswoman, Author, Philanthropist, Activist,
Public Speaker, Anti-Defamation League American Heritage Award (2011), Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Gala Messenger of Peace Award (2012),
California State University honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Ambassador & 9-1-1 For Kids Ambassador

~

Be Stubborn About the Vision

“Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision.
Visions don’t change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed.
Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.”

~ John C. Maxwell,
Author, Speaker & Pastor

When We Want to Achieve a Dream-Goal, We Can

“… there’s a larger shift in my thinking. There’s a realization that anything I want to achieve,
I can achieve, and it’s not worth giving up.”

~ Gong Li,
Actress,
Hundred Flowers Award (1989), Hundred Flowers Awards (1991), Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup (1992), Golden Rooster Awards (1993),
Golden Phoenix Awards Society Award (1993), New York Film Critics Circle Award (1993), Berlin International Film Festival (1993),
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (1998), Golden Rooster Awards (2000), Montreal World Film Festival (2000), Hundred Flowers Awards (2000),
Shanghai Film Critics Awards (2001), Golden Phoenix Awards Society Award (2001), Beijing College Student Film Festival (2003),
Cannes Film Festival Festival Trophy (2004), National Board of Review (2005), Hong Kong Film Award (2007),  Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award  (2007),
Golden Bauhinia Awards (2007), Shanghai Film Critics Awards (2014), Golden Deer Awards (2014) & China Film Directors’ Guild Awards (2015)

 

Going After Dreams & Goals

“You have to be vigorous. That’s the only way you are going to get it because everybody has dreams
and everybody has goals, but the only people who achieve them
are the ones that go after it and don’t take no for an answer.”

~ Nick Cannon
Actor, Comedian, Rapper, Director, Writer, Producer, Television Host,
Activist, Hollywood Film Festival (2006), Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (2002) & NAACP Image Awards (2012)

~

Negotiating Dreams

“No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to fly high.
No government, no legislature, has a right to limit your dreams.
You should never agree to surrender your dreams.”

~ Jesse Jackson,
Civil Rights Activist, Baptist Minister
& Shadow U.S. Senator (District of Columbia, 1991-1997)

Champions Aren’t Made in Gyms

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.
They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will.
But the will must be stronger than the skill.”’

~ Muhammad Ali
a.k.a Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.,
Boxer & Heavyweight Champion of the World (1964-1979, 3X)

Learning How to Lose

“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose.
Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”

~ Wilma Rudolph,
Sprinter, Olympic Games Gold Medal 1960 Rome 100 M , Olympic Games Gold Medal 1960 Rome 200 M, Olympic Games Gold medal 1960 Rome,
Olympic Games Bronze Medal 1956 Melbourne, United Press International Athlete of the Year (1960),
Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year (1960 & 1961), James E. Sullivan Award (1960), Babe Didrikson Zaharias Award (1962),
National Sports Award (1993), Fraternal Order of Eagles Award, Black Sports Hall of Fame (1973), U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame (1974),
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame (1983), National Women’s Hall of Fame (1994), National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame (2001)
Founder – Wilma Rudolph Foundation & U.S. Postal Service Distinguished Americans Postage Stamp (2004)

Trying So Hard for Something

“Sometimes when we try so hard for something, maybe the reason it is not happening
is that it is not meant to be happening at this time.”

~ Lorraine Pascale
TV Chef, Food Network Host, Model, Author, United Kingdom Government Fostering and Adoption Ambassador,
Emotional Wellness Advocate & Owner – Ella’s Bakehouse (2007-2012)

~

You Can’t Touch Faith

“Faith is not tangible, you can’t touch it. It’s something that’s a belief, something that’s inside of you,
and I needed hope and faith to keep pushing myself past every single day of what I was going through and what I felt.
My true strength comes from God and certainly from my family right after that. They’re the most important things in my life.”

~ Kevin Sorbo,
Screen Actor, Voice Actor, Director & Executive Producer

If Bad Things Happen

“You don’t stop living because bad things happen. You keep going.”

~ Gina Neely
Restaurateur, Television Personality & Author

Life at Face Value

“If you take life at face value, it loses its luster pretty quickly. If you go after it, you get more out of it.”

~ Christopher Meloni,
Actor & Executive Producer

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When the Going Goes Tough

“When the going gets tough, I’m not always sure what you do.
I’m not saying that I know how to fix everything when the going gets tough, but I do know this: when the going goes tough, you don’t quit,
and you don’t fold up, and you don’t go in the other direction.”

~ John Madden
Football Coach, Sportscaster, Super Bowl XI winner, Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award (2002), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006), Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (1991), Yahoo Sports Top 50 All Time Network Television Sports Announcers, California Hall of Fame (2009), NSSA National Sportscaster of the Year (1984), NSSA Hall of Fame inductee (2010) & Emmy Awards (16X)

My Greatest Achievement

“I would say my greatest achievement in life right now –
my greatest achievement period is – and I’m still trying to achieve it –
is to be a wonderful father to my kids.”

~ Bo Jackson,
Baseball and Football Player (1983-1994)
Co-Owner & CEO of Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex,
Co-Owner of The Burr Ridge Bank and Trust;
Heisman Trophy (1985)

Being Sold-Out

“You were redeemed to be outstanding, but it takes being sold-out to stand-out.”

~ Bill Winston,
Preacher, Author, Entrepreneur, Founder & Senior Pastor – Living Word Christian Center,
Founder – Joseph Business School, Founder – The Joseph Center®,
Fmr. United States Air Force Fighter Pilot, United States Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Award,
United States Air Force Air Medal Award, United States Air Force Squadron Top Gun Award
Distinguished Alumni of Tuskegee University Award, Chicago Tuskegee Club Incorporated Heritage Award,
Tuskegee Airmen Chicago DoDo Chapter Award

Dreams of Success

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.”

~ Wayne Huizenga,
Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Founder – AutoNation, Founder – Waste Management, Inc.,
Norman Vincent Peale Award (2008) & Horatio Alger Association Distinguished American Award (1992)

Climbing this Hill

“Very often, you know, you stop walking because you say,
‘Well, I’m tired of climbing this hill.
I’m never going to get to the top.’
And you’re only two steps from the top.”

~ Morgan Freeman,
Actor, Film Director & Narrator

Standing Adversity

“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man;
but for one man who can stand prosperity,
there are a hundred that will stand adversity.”

~ Elvis Aaron Presley,
Musician, Singer & Actor

Believe & Keep Going

“Always believe in yourself and keep going. You don’t have to have the most talent in the world.
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the world. If you persist and you persist and you persist, you will be successful.”

~ Dean Cain,
a.k.a. Dean George Tanaka
Actor, Producer, Television Host

People Who Say It

“People who say it cannot be done
should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

~ Author Unknown,

~ Image via NAME HERE

Never Lose Your Dreams

“I never lost my dreams in my 20s, and I know that sounds corny,
but it’s incredibly important to never let go of what you really want in your life.”

~ Juan Pablo Di Pace,
Actor, Singer & Director

Blind, Furious Optimism

“I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a blind, furious optimism.”

~ Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone,
Actor, Screenwriter, Producer & Director

Changing Definitions

“If you keep saying two plus two equals five over and over again,
then that is what people are going to think. Maybe it does equal five if we
keep changing the definition of what’s normal and what’s right and what’s wrong.”

~ Kevin Sorbo,
Screen Actor, Voice Actor, Director & Executive Producer

Staying on Course

“My legacy is that I stayed on course… from the beginning to the end,
because I believed in something inside of me.”

~ Tina Turner,
Recording Artist, Dancer, Actress & Author,

Personal Growth

“Growth is a result of process and process operates through the matrix of time.”

~ Dale C. Bronner,
Founder & Pastor, Word of Faith Worship Center

If You Don’t, Then Who Will, Sweetie?

“Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything.
Keep trying, hold on and always, always, always believe in yourself,
because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie?”

~ Marilyn Monroe
a.k.a. Norma Jeane Mortenson,
Actress, Model, Singer & Film Producer

When the Truth Wants to Find You

“I say when the truth wants to find you or wants to be found by you,
it will come after you. You cannot stop that force.”

~ Kim Basinger,
Actress, Model, Singer, Producer & Animal Rights Activist,
Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award,
National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Award,
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award, Athena Award
& Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars (2)

Just Hang in There Long Enough

“I think if you just hang in there long enough
and keep doing what you know is your sweet spot,
I think the world eventually catches up to you.”

~ Courtney B. Vance,
Actor, Author, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor …,
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, Clarence Derwent Award,

On the Heels of Rejection

“I’ve had all my big successes on the heels of rejection.”

~ Barbara Corcoran,
Businesswoman, Investor, Speaker, Consultant, Syndicated Columnist,
Author & Television Personality.

If We Would Just Hang on Long Enough

” God has promised to every single one of us that
even in our hardest times,
if we would just hang on long enough,
the blessing will come.”

~ Beth Moore,
Evangelist, Author, Bible Teacher
& Founder – Living Proof Ministries

Pursue & Achieve Your Dreams

“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.”

~ LL Cool J
a.k.a. James Todd Smith ,
Rapper, Actor, Author & Entrepreneur

A Person Who Fails vs. A Person Who Quits

“Success can come to a person who has failed,
but it will never come to a person who quits.”

~ David Jeremiah,
Author, Founder – Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries,
& Senior Pastor – Shadow Mountain Community Church

A Wishbone, Backbone & Funny Bone

“To succeed in life, you need three things:
a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.”

~ Reba McEntire,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Record Producer, Grand Ole Opry (1986),
Grammy Awards (3X), & Country Music Hall of Fame (2011)

Don’t Block Your Blessings

“Don’t block your blessings. Don’t let doubt stop you
from getting where you want to be.”

~ Jennifer Hudson,
Singer, Actress, Spokesperson, Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award,
Screen Actors Guild Award , Grammy Award (2x),
Daytime Emmy & Hollywood Walk of Fame (Star)

You’re Nearly Through. You’re SO Close!

“RISE UP, BELOVED”, cries JESUS. “You are NEARLY through transition. You are SO close.
Don’t lie down on the battlefield, now, when you are SO close to victory.
I AM your strength, I AM your future, I AM your purpose, I AM your Deliverer.
You shall surely see My goodness in the land of the living.
Your harvest is upon you.”

~ Wendy Alec,
Co-Founder, President & CEO – GOD TV, Writer, TV Producer,
Film Maker, Director – WarBoys Entertainment London,
Global Platinum Award (2016), Gold Awards (2X), Angel Awards (20X),giv
Outstanding Contribution to Literature Award, Best Fiction Award,
& Outstanding Fiction Writer (Exceptional Writers Awards)

Completely Broke (Temporarily)

“When I got out of Yale Drama School,
I was completely broke.”

~ Courtney B. Vance,
Actor, Author, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor …,
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, Clarence Derwent Award,

Angels Along Your Way

“I could not have made it this far
had there not been angels along the way.”

~ Della Reese
a.k.a. Delloreese Patricia Early,
Nightclub, Jazz, Gospel Singer, Pop Singer, Film Actress,
Television Actress, Talk-show Hostess & Ordained Minister

A Vision-Led Daily Schedule

IMAGE GOES HERE.

“Adhering to a daily schedule that is led by your vision
and run by your priorities is the surest path to personal freedom.”

~ Mark Ford,
Entrepreneur, Self-made Millionaire

~ Image via NAME HERE

Reaching for a Dream

“This is for all of you out there …, reaching for a dream – don’t ever give up!
Never ever listen to anyone, when they try to discourage you, because they do that, believe me!”

~ Mariah Carey,
Singer, Song-writer, Actress, Record Producer & Philanthropist

Faith, Perseverance & Gut Instinct

“Keep the faith, don’t lose your perseverance
and always trust your gut instinct.”

~ Paula Abdul,
Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Choreographer & Actress

What You Have: Left or Lost

“Always look at what you have left.
Never look at what you have lost.”

~ Dr. Robert Harold Schuller,
Pastor, Motivational Speaker, Author
& Founder of the Crystal Cathedral

Being the Best We Can Be

“I like to see a driven kid: somebody who wants to come from the ground up.
I love to see somebody who wants to be the best they can be.”

~ Kim Basinger,
Actress, Model, Singer, Producer & Animal Rights Activist,
Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award,
National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Award,
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award, Athena Award
& Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars (2)

Overcoming Tough Things

“I think everybody has tragedy in their life. Everybody has hurdles in their life.
Everybody has tough things to overcome.
My kids say to me, ‘This isn’t fair.’ I said, ‘Life isn’t fair.’
Everybody has their issues. It’s how you handle your issues that distinguishes you.”

~ Maria Owings Shriver,
Journalist, Author,
First Lady of California (November 2003-January 2011)
Peabody Award Winner, Emmy Awards Winner,
& Academy of Television Art & Sciences Award Winner

Do What We Can Do for Our Country

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country.”

~ John F. Kennedy,
35th President of the United States (1961-1963)

The Size of Your Success

“The size of your success is measured by
the strength of your desire;
the size of your dream;
and how you handle disappointment along the way.”

~ Robert Toru Kiyosaki,
Investor, Businessman, Author, Speaker,
Financial Literacy Activist, & Commentator

An Ending Better Than the Start

“Now is not the time to give up!
The end is going to be better than the beginning.”

~ Joni Lamb,
Singer, Co-Founder & Vice-President – The Daystar Television Network
Co-Host – Marcus & Joni

Training To Live Life As a Champion

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit.
Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’

~ Muhammad Ali
a.k.a Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.,
Boxer & Heavyweight Champion of the World (1964-1979, 3X)

Making Stars

“Say what you want about me, I get the job done.
That job is helping young people excel and get the most out of life
— whatever aspirations or ambitions they have.
I don’t believe in the word ‘impossible’.
I make stars; it’s what I do.”

~ Abby Lee Miller,
Creative Director, Chief Choreographer, Author &
Founder of Abby Lee Dance Company/Reign Dance Academy

We CAN Make Our Dreams Come True

“From my mother I learned
the value of prayer,
how to have dreams
and
believe I could make them come true.”

~ Ronald Reagan,
Actor, Sports Announcer, Politician, 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975), &
40th President of the United States (1/20/1981–1/20/1989)

Even If Everything is Lost, You’ll Survive

“Happiness, to me, is knowing that if I lose everything I will still be O.K.”

~ Tony Hsieh,
Internet Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist,
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2007)
Co-Founder of Venture Frogs & Author

Encouraged to Persevere

“I have always been one to encourage perseverance.”

~ Christina Aguilera,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Television Personality, Television Producer & Philanthropist

Wholeheartedly

“I think when you move past your fear
and you go after your dreams wholeheartedly,
you become free.”

~ LL Cool J
a.k.a. James Todd Smith ,
Rapper, Actor, Author & Entrepreneur

Never Thought of Doing Elsewise

“I was gonna write songs, I was gonna be a star
and a singer and I never thought of doing anything else.”

~ Kim Carnes,
Singer, Songwriter & Musician
Grammy Award – Record of the Year “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
Grammy Award – Best Instrumental Composition … “Flashdance” (1983) (multiple artists)

Love of What You Do

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice
and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

~ Pele
a.k.a Edson Arantes do Nascimento,
Footballer, Humanitarian, FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur (2013),
France Football’s Football Player of the Century (1999),
Player of the Century (1999), IOC Athlete of the Century (1999),
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1997)
Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (1994), Knight of the Order of Rio Branco (1967)
Commander of the Order of Rio Branco (1969) & Brasil Postage Stamp (1969),

A History of Victory

“I am not a victim. No matter what I have been through,
I’m still here. I have a history of victory.”

~ Steve Maraboli,
Author & Speaker

A Sweet, Refreshing Gang

“When life gives you lemons, find someone that life gave sugar to.
Then, find someone who life gave water to. Then be a gang … a sweet refreshing gang.”

~ Amanda Swafford,
Model, America’s Next Top Model

Financial Fitness

“No one’s ever achieved financial fitness
with a January resolution that’s abandoned by February.”

~ Suze Orman,
Author, Financial Advisor,
Motivational Speaker & Television Host

The Absence of Obstacles?

“The difference between
the Successful and the Unsuccessful
is not the Absence of Obstacles,
but the Presence of Perseverance.”

~ Chris Widener,
Author & Motivational Speaker

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Be a Champion

“Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will
never give up on them, who understands the power of connection
and insists that they become the best that they can become
the best that they can possibly be.”

~ Rita F. Pierson,
Educator, Car Enthusiast, Author, Humanitarian, & Speaker – TED Talks Education TV

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The Trail to Your Dreams

“Follow the trail to your dreams,
not the path of others’ expectations.”

~ Byrd Baggett,
Author

When You Overcome

“If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort,
eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges.”

~ Patrick James “Pat” Riley ,
Professional Basketball Executive, Miami Heat Team President (1995- ), Motivational Speaker, Author,
Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), NBA Championships (2012 & 2013: Miami Heat)
Head Coach (1995-2003 & 2005-2008), NBA All-Star Game Head Coach (9x)
NBA Coach of the Year (1989–90: Los Angeles Lakers, 1992–93: New York Knicks & 1996–97: Miami Heat)
10 Greatest Coaches in NBA History Award (1996) & Los Angeles Lakers’ Championship Team Player (1972)

Reinventing the Self

“When things are bad, it’s the best time to reinvent yourself.”

~ George Lopez,
Comedian, Actor, Talk Show Host, Imagen Vision Award (2003),
Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television (2003),
National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award,
& One of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America” by Time (2005)

That Faith, Ever Since

“I committed my life to Christ, and that faith
has been most important to me ever since.”

~ Peyton Williams Manning,
National Football League (NFL) Quarterback (1998-2015)

The Gradual Result

“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”

~ Patrick James “Pat” Riley ,
Professional Basketball Executive, Miami Heat Team President (1995- ), Motivational Speaker, Author,
Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), NBA Championships (2012 & 2013: Miami Heat)
Head Coach (1995-2003 & 2005-2008), NBA All-Star Game Head Coach (9x)
NBA Coach of the Year (1989–90: Los Angeles Lakers, 1992–93: New York Knicks & 1996–97: Miami Heat)
10 Greatest Coaches in NBA History Award (1996) & Los Angeles Lakers’ Championship Team Player (1972)

Lofty Goals

“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.”

~ Bo Jackson,
Baseball and Football Player (1983-1994)
Co-Owner & CEO of Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex,
Co-Owner of The Burr Ridge Bank and Trust;
Heisman Trophy (1985)

Failing Into the Extraordinary

“Persistence can change failure
into extraordinary achievement.”

~ Marv Levy
a.k.a Marvin Daniel Levy,
Motivational Speaker, American & Canadian Football Coach (1973-1997),
Executive, Author, NFL Analyst & Pro Football Hall of Fame (2001)

Self-Discipline & Success

“Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period”

~ Louis Leo “Lou” Holtz ,
Motivational Speaker, Football Player (1956-1957), Head Football Coach:
[William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975),
University of Arkansas (1977–1983), University of Minnesota (1984–1985),
University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), University of South Carolina (1999–2004)],
Fiesta Bowl (Notre Dame, 1988), NFL’s New York Jets Coach (1976),
ESPN Football Analyst (2005-) & College Football Hall of Fame (2008)

100% In

“I learned to put 100 percent into what you’re doing.
I learned about setting goals for yourself,
knowing where you want to be and
taking small steps toward those goals.
I learned about adversity and how to get past it.”

~ Kristi Yamaguchi
a.k.a Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchi,
Ladies’ Singles U.S. Olympic Champion (1992), World Champion (1991 & 1992),
U.S. Champion (1992), World Junior Pairs Skating Champion (1988),
National Pairs Skating Champion (1989 & 1990),
& U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Inductee (2005),
Founder – Always Dream Foundation,
Designer – Tsu.ya Activewear, Author,
Asian Excellence Awards (2008), Sonja Henie Award (2008),
Thurman Munson Award, Women’s Sports Foundation Flo Hyman Award,
& Great Sports Legends Award

Past Successes

“Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them.
They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures,
and on the next action steps they need to take
to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals
rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.”

~ Jack Canfield,
Author, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Entrepreneur,
Founder & CEO of The Canfield Training Group, Founder of The Foundation for Self-Esteem,
& Guinness World Record – 7 New York Times Best-sellers Listed simultaneously.

Succeeding through Failing

“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”

~ Julie Andrews a.k.a.,
Film and Stage Actress, Singer, Author, Theatre Director & Dancer
Academy Award (2X), BAFTA Awardee, David di Donatello Awards (2x),
Disney Legends Awardee, Drama Desk Awardee, Emmy Award (2x),
Golden Globe (5x), Golden Plate Awardee, Grammy Awards (3x),
Hasty Pudding Theatrical Awardee, Hollywood Walk of Fame Awardee,
Kennedy Center Honors Awardee, Laurel Awards (4x), People’s Choice Award,
Prince Ranier Award, San Sebastian International Film Festival Awardee,
Screen Actors Guild Award, Society of Singers Awardee, Theatre World Award,
UCLA George & Ira Gershwin Award and Women in Film Awardee

Persevere to Your Success

“I am not the richest, smartest or most talented person in the world,
but I succeed because I keep going and going and going.”

~ Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone,
Actor, Screenwriter, Producer, and Director

A Daily Discipline

“Take the pains required to become what you want to become, or
you might end up becoming something you’d rather not be.
That is, also, a daily discipline and worth considering.”

~ Donald John Trump,
Businessman, Politician, Television Personality, Author,
Chairman & President of The Trump Organization,
Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts

The Manicured, Romantic, Happy Believer

“I believe in manicures.
I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.
I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
and
I believe in miracles.”

~ Audrey Hepburn,
Actress and Humanitarian

You Will Make It!

“If you are hardworking and determined,
you will make it and that’s the bottom line’’.

~ Isabel dos Santos,
Investor

Getting It at the Right Time

“I think in business, you have to learn to be patient.
Maybe I’m not very patient myself.
But I think what I’ve learned the most is
to be able to wait for something
and get it when it’s the right time.”

~ Bernard Arnault,
Founder of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Hennessy

Throwing in The Towel?

“The biggest mistake that people make is
they give up too soon, and they throw in the towel.
Becoming a successful leader has a lot to do with
realizing how strong you are.
The human body, the human mind and
the human heart can take a lot.
Fight through bad times in business,
and you’ll be surprised you can
work through it usually.
But people give up too soon,
and they don’t realize how much more
they can put into it without giving up.”

~ Tilman J. Fertitta,
Owner, Chairman & CEO of Fertitta Entertainment
(Landry’s & Golden Nugget)

The Steps, the Biologicals & the Spirituals

“I want to congratulate all the men out there who are working, diligently,
to be good fathers whether they are stepfathers, biological fathers or just spiritual fathers.”

~ T. D. Jakes, Sr.,
Bishop/Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House,
Author & Filmmaker

Have You Any Worthwhile Endeavors?

“Patience and persistence are vital qualities
in the ultimate successful accomplishment
of any worthwhile endeavor.”

~ Joseph Pilates,
Author & Inventor of Pilates

Image courtesy of  Pixabay

Made for Greatness

“Don’t settle for average. You were made for greatness.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder, Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

Is It Worthwhile?

“If there’s anything in life you consider worthwhile achieving, go for it.
I was told, many times, to forget show-business – I had nothing going for me.
Yet, I pursued it, anyway. Voila!”

~ Isabel Sanford,
Stage, Film and Television Actress, Philanthropist, Prime-time Emmy Award (1981) Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2004),
Prime-time Emmy Award nominee (7X), Golden Globe Award nominee (5X)

You vs. Circumstances

“Do not let circumstances control you.
You change your circumstances.”

~ Jackie Chan,
Actor, Martial Artist, Film Director, Producer, Stuntman,
Singer, Clothier, Restaurateur, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist,
Founder – Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation &
Founder – Dragon’s Heart Foundation

Persevere to Success

“You have to persevere. You have to do it.
I have insecurities. Yet, whatever I’m insecure about I don’t dissect it,
but I’ll go after it and say, “What am I afraid of?”
I bet the average successful person can tell you
they’ve failed so much more than they’ve had success.
I’ve had far more failures than I’ve had successes.
With every commercial I’ve gotten, there were 200 I didn’t get.
You have to go after what you’re afraid of.”

~ Kevin Sorbo,
Screen Actor, Voice Actor, Director & Executive Producer

Somebody Who Knows Someone, Who Knows Someone

“I do believe in six degrees of separation.
You can always find somebody who knows someone
who knows someone who knows that person.
That kind of skill is so important in whatever profession you are in —
whether it is journalism or you’re an entrepreneur
or you’re a banker and or you’re a professor. “

~ Betty W. Liu,
News Anchor, Business Journalist, Author,
Dow Jones Newswires Award (1997),
“Top 30 Business Journalists Under 30 List (2000-2002, 3x)
& Central High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)

Be Bouncy & Bounce Back Well

“People fail all the time.
I can even point to this book project.
The number of book proposals I’ve had out there outweighs
the number of books that I’ve actually written, by ten-fold.
For every success, there are about a dozen failures behind that.
How do you take that then into your everyday life?
What I’ve found is much of it is about attitude.
How do you bounce back?
How you bounce back is more important than the failure itself. 
If you have that positive attitude —,  you are a perennial optimist, as well —
it can mean such a difference to the path of your career
versus being taken down by it and wallowing in that mistake ….”

~ Betty W. Liu,
News Anchor, Business Journalist, Author,
Dow Jones Newswires Award (1997),
“Top 30 Business Journalists Under 30 List (2000-2002, 3x)
& Central High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)

Stronger Than Memories

“Our dreams must be stronger than our memories.
We must be pulled by our dreams, rather than pushed by our memories”

~ Jesse Jackson,
Civil Rights Activist, Baptist Minister
& Shadow U.S. Senator (District of Columbia, 1991-1997)

Be Bouncy & Bounce Back Well

“People fail all the time.
I can even point to this book project.
The number of book proposals I’ve had out there outweighs
the number of books that I’ve actually written, by ten-fold.
For every success, there are about a dozen failures behind that.
How do you take that then into your everyday life?
What I’ve found is much of it is about attitude.
How do you bounce back?
How you bounce back is more important than the failure itself.

If you have that positive attitude — …, you are a perennial optimist as well —
it can mean such a difference to the path of your career
versus being taken down by it and wallowing in that mistake….”

~ Betty W. Liu,
News Anchor, Business Journalist, Author,
Dow Jones Newswires Award (1997),
“Top 30 Business Journalists Under 30 List (2000-2002, 3x)
& Central High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)

Let It Slide, or Cook With It!

“I think the secret to happiness is having a Teflon soul.
Whatever comes your way, you either let it slide or you cook with it.”

~ Diane Lane,
Actress, National Society of Film Critics Award,
New York Film Critics Circle Award & Women in Film Crystal Award

In Nothing Great, Nor Small

“Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small,
large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.
Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchilll,
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ( 1940-1945 ) & (1951–1955),
Non-academic Historian, Writer, Artist,
Nobel Prize in Literature (1953) &
Honorary Citizen of the United States (1963)

An Idea, Problems or Wrongs!

“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right.
If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.”

~ Steve Jobs,
Entrepreneur, Marketer, Inventor, &
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Apple, Inc.
Founder & CEO of NeXT, Disney Legend (2013, posthumously)
Grammy Trustees Award (2012), California Hall of Fame (2007)
‘Most Powerful Person in Business’ by Fortune Magazine (2007)
Entrepreneur of the Decade’ by Inc. Magazine (1989)
Jefferson Award for Public Service (1987) & National Medal of Technology (1985)

Anyone Can

“Anyone can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do.
But to hold it together, when everyone else would understand
if you fell apart, that’s true strength.”

~ Author Unknown,

~ Image via NAME HERE

Not Necessarily

“A failure is not, necessarily a mistake.
It’s simply doing the best you can do
with the current information and
resources you have at the moment.

The only real mistake a
person can make is to quit trying.”

~ Cody Sperber,
Real Estate Entrepreneur

~ Image via NAME HERE

Failing Forward

“When I first started trying to learn
real estate investing I wanted to quit.

I spent thousands and for the longest
time had 0 deals to show for it.

But I kept pushing through.

And now I’m a better investor and teacher
because of it. I’m glad that I failed!

If you’ve given real estate a try and haven’t
gotten the results you wanted…

Keep failing forward. You’re going to be
a better investor for it in the end!”

~ Cody Sperber ,
Real Estate Entrepreneur

~ Image via NAME HERE

Growing Beyond a Mistake

“Mistakes grow your brain. … at least a small part of the fore-brain called the thalamus can appreciably grow after periods of the sort of cognitive stimulation involved in mistake-making. What matters for improving performance is that a person is challenged, which requires a mindset that is receptive to being challenged, if not actively seeking out challenge and failure. And that may be the most important thing a teacher can impart.”

~ Jo Boaler,
Professor of Mathematics Education

~ Image via NAME HERE

Relentless Will

IMAGE GOES HERE.

“The success or failure of the venture comes down,
in the end, to the relentless will of the entrepreneur.”

~ Mark Ford,
Entrepreneur, Self-made Millionaire

~ Image via NAME HERE

Create a Ladder for Yourself

“There were periods of my life
when a lot of people didn’t believe in me.
I still had faith in myself.
I really had to ask myself life questions.
Where do I see myself in five years?
Create a ladder for yourself,
and walk up the steps. Climb that ladder.”

~ Fergie
a.k.a Stacy Ann Ferguson ,
Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Actress & Fashion Designer,
American Music Award, amfAR Inspiration Gala Awards (3),
ASCAP Awards (6), Billboard Music Awards (8), FiFi Award
Footwear News Achievement Award, Glamour Award & Grammy Awards (8)

Realize This: Anything is Possible

I

“I think anything is possible if you have the mindset
and the will and desire to do it and put the time in.”

~ Roger Clemens
a.k.a. William Roger Clemens ,
Baseball Pitcher

~ Image via NAME HERE

Roger Clemens

Easy to Start, Hard to Stop

“She will be successful who is easy to start, and hard to stop.”

~ Connie Stevens
a.k.a Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingoglia ,
Actress, Film Director, Screenwriter & Singer

Hard to Beat

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

~ Babe Ruth
a.k.a George Herman Ruth, Jr. ,
All-Star (2x)
World Series Champion (7x)
AL MVP (1923)
AL Batting Champion (1924)
AL home run champion (12×)
AL RBI champion (6×)

~ Image via NAME HERE

Keep Looking. Don’t Settle

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,
and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.
As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

~ Steve Jobs,
Entrepreneur, Marketer, Inventor, &
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Apple, Inc.
Founder & CEO of NeXT, Disney Legend (2013, posthumously)
Grammy Trustees Award (2012), California Hall of Fame (2007)
‘Most Powerful Person in Business’ by Fortune Magazine (2007)
Entrepreneur of the Decade’ by Inc. Magazine (1989)
Jefferson Award for Public Service (1987) & National Medal of Technology (1985)

~

One More Time!

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more time.”

~ Thomas Alva Edison,
Businessman & Inventor

Five Years Ago. Five Years Ahead.

Image courtesy Bing/guayageek

“Think back five years ago. Think of where you’re at today.
Think ahead five years and what you want to accomplish. Be Unstoppable.”

~ Dwayne Douglas Johnson a.k.a. The Rock,
Actor, Author, Founder of the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation,
& Professional Wrestler

Beyond What’s Shown

“To dream is to think
beyond what’s shown to you;
push beyond what you’ve been taught.”

~ Afua Richardson,
Comic Book Illustrator, Political Activist, Mentor,
Flautist, Voice Actor & Graphic Designer

Your Quantum Potential

“I’m here to tell you that God has seeded you with quantum potential—infinite possibility
that need only be captured by the force of imagination,
harnessed by the power of faith,
and birthed through prayer with unwavering belief.”

~ Dr. Cindy Trimm,
Author & Executive Life Coach

Before the Blessing

“Don’t quit before the blessing.”

~ Byrd Baggett,
Author

Persevere Toward Victory

“Victory belongs to the most persevering.”

~ Napoleon Bonaparte,
Emperor of the French (May 1804 – April 1814 and March 1815 – June 1815) &
King of Italy (March 1805 – April 1814)

Defeated, Yet Not Finished

“A man is not finished when he is defeated.
He is finished when he quits.”

~ Richard Nixon
37th President of the United States (1969-1974),
U.S. Representative, Senator, &
36th Vice President of the United States (1953-1961)

Spend the Time on Your Dreams

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.
The time will pass anyway.”

~ Earl Nightingale,
Motivational Speaker, Author, Voice Actor &
Radio Show Host, known as the “Dean of Personal Development”