“. . . therefore I quote” Hansel, Swindoll, James & Ford

I read, therefore I quote.

I’m going to “set up” today’s quote with a little video. My sister-in-law sent me this back in July of 2007. You may have seen it already. But what a powerful reminder that we CAN.

I don’t know about you, but I won’t be whining about ANYTHING today. Or tomorrow. And if I whine the day after that, I’m watching this video again.


Today’s quote comes from “Eating Problems for Breakfast: A Simple, Creative Approach to Solving Any Problem” by Tim Hansel:

“As Chuck Swindoll said so eloquently, ‘We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.’

Some experts believer that 90 percent of all problem solving revolves around one’s attitude. By definition, attitude refers to:

    one’s mental posture toward a problem or a situation;
    one’s feelings or emotions toward the problem;
    the angle or position of one’s frame of reference.

It’s not so much what happens to us, as what happens in us that counts, or what we think has happened to us.

. . . Life is a process: a complex ever-continuing, ever-change set of problems. The choice is not if you’ll accept problems, but How! Your attitude determines whether or not you will succeed. William James said, “Perhaps the greatest discovery of this century is that if you can change your attitude, you can change your life.”

. . . Henry Ford once said, “That who say they can and those who say that they can’t are usually both right.”

. . . One of the most liberating discoveries of my life was that problems have positive and redemptive purposes: they can be potential blessings. They can be a means for growth . . .

. . . I believe that our greatest problem is our self-limitation. In having a more sane estimate of our abilities, we need to realize the incredible things that God can do in us and through us. When we do that, we become much less intimidated by problems because we know that God is not only for us but in us. Therefore, I am not afraid to fail.

. . . Perhaps you are like me and struggle to keep an appropriate attitude toward problems. One recommendation is to read books on problem solving, motivation and attitude. Although I have read countless books on these subjects in the last twenty years, one book was the most helpful. It far outweighs any other book I have ever read on the subject. It not only has better ideas to suggest but actually offers facts to help you with your attitude . . . It’s a guaranteed life changer. It’s the Bible. I highly recommend it. Someone said of the Bible:

    Know it – in your head;
    Stow it – in your heart;
    Sow it – in the world;
    Show it – in your life.

. . . I recently saw a tremendous formula for success. It consists of these ten points:

  1. Pray
  2. Work
  3. Pray
  4. Work
  5. Pray
  6. Work
  7. Pray
  8. Work
  9. Pray
  10. Work

. . . If you want to improve your problem-solving abilities, follow all ten suggestions. But in the process of developing our problem-solving skills, we’ve got to be careful of the trap of perfectionism. Someone once said that, “perfectionism leads to procrastination, and procrastination leads in turn leads to paralysis.”

. . . Yes, pay attention to detail. Yes, pursue excellence. But avoid that nagging tendency to strive for perfection, especially on the first attempt.”


“. . . therefore I quote” Thursday: If you have a quote to share from something you’ve read recently, feel free to comment and/or include a link to your own “quote” post.

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4 thoughts on ““. . . therefore I quote” Hansel, Swindoll, James & Ford

  1. I cannot believe that she can snap a onesie WITH HER FEET! I could hardly do it with both hands. What an inspiring video.

    Attitude really is everything, and we seldom realize how formative our attitude is. This week, our stove died. People at work were saying how sorry they were for me – hard to cook this week; a large, unexpected expense just before Christmas; the hassle of shopping and trying not to get ripped off; yahdah yahdah yahdah. Me? I was thrilled! It was a 26 year old stove and we were planning to replace it before then end of the year anyhow. We started shopping weeks ago, doing our homework, and we were just waiting for the right time, right price. It’s demise now means that I get a new stove for my busiest baking season of the year! It truly is ALL in how you look at it.

    You know, I probably shouldn’t read this blog. If blogging is supposed to expose me to different perspectives and to people with whom I disagree, I am failing here. I agree with virtually everything you write! (Wait – I remember disagreeing with you about TV. Whew – I can keep reading now!).

    Julie, if you are ever in Ohio, you SERIOUSLY must let me know because I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet you in person!

  2. I’ve seen that before and it is incredible. I will however still whine because my life is much harder than hers, no no, I’ll still whine because I sometime THINK my life is hard. :0) My life is actually quite incredible and I’m very fortunate so my whining is limited to things my husband doesn’t do!

    Work and Pray. That’s always a real good plan. Thanks Julie!

  3. I remember seeing this gal before, and wondering how in the world she does it all–and how amazing her parents were to have instilled that “I can do anything” seed in her brain.

    Shucks, Julie, I wanted to whine today.

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