Two mice fell into a bucket of cream.
There was no way out of the bucket.
One mouse gave up right away and drowned.
But in the face of hopelessness, the other mouse
kicked and struggled anyway.
He kicked so hard he churned that cream into butter.
And then he walked out of the bucket.
I am that second mouse.
This is my favorite way to answer the question, “So what exactly do you do?”
There is nothing like money to make you attractive and appealing to others. But, of course, the kind of people who are attracted to you only because of what you can do for them may be acquaintances, not friends. You may have many acquaintances if you become wealthy, but whatever your station in life may be, you will never have true friends unless you are a friend to others. Be very selective in your choice of friends. Choose to associate with positive people who like you for the person you are, who encourage you to be yourself and to be the best you can be.
As soon as it begins, take control of your day. Decide in detail what you intend to do and commit to making it happen.
If you sit around and wait for events and circumstances to pull you along, you’ll end up getting nothing accomplished. If you have no firm and resolute plans, you’ll waste all your time on meaningless distractions and interruptions.
Certainly unexpected situations will come up that require your response. Yet you can choose to respond from a position of power and control, rather than from a position of weakness and ineffectiveness.
Decide what you will do with this day, and get busy doing it. Make a difference, establish a positive momentum, and get your goals accomplished.
Time is here, right now, for you to use. Transform the passing time into lasting value by making effective use of it.
This day is filled with great possibilities. Choose certain, specific ones, and make the effort that will make them happen.
FOOTNOTE 4 