Climb your Achievement Ladder with a Positive Attitude

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his counselor and guide? And who could ever offer to the Lord enough to induce him to act? For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore."

"As God's messenger, I give each of you God's warning:
1) Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.
2) Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So, we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
3) God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophecy, then prophesy whenever you can--as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God.
4) If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful.
5) If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it.
6) If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously.
7) Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with positive cheer.
8) Don't just pretend that you love others: REALLY LOVE THEM!
9) Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good.
10) Love each other with brotherly and sisterly affection and take delight in honoring each other.
11) Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12) Be glad for all God is planning for you.
13) Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.
14) When God's children are in need, you be the one to help them out.
15) Get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, or if they need lodging for the night.
16) If someone mistreats you because you are God's children, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
17) When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.
18) Work happily together. Don't try to act big. Don't try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And DON'T THINK YOU KNOW IT ALL!
19) Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through.
20) Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible. Don't let evil get the upper hand but conquer evil by doing good."
(Romans 11: 33-36; 12: 1-21)

"Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life. Guard it well!" (Proverbs 4:13)

LOVE GROWS WITH ACHIEVEMENT LADDER SUCCESS

Whether we are climbing the vertical ladder of achievement, the spiral ladder of achievement, the horizontal ladder of achievement, or any other versions of ascending and descending achievement challenges in life, we are encouraged to grow through perseverance and the love that surrounds us on every side from our family, our friends, our acquaintances, our community, and our "little part of the world" in which we impact the ideas and the lives of those who support us.

"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God....FOR GOD IS LOVE!"

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life through his death. In this act we see what REAL LOVE IS: it is not our love for God, but his love for us when he sent his Son to satisfy God's anger against our sins."

"Dear friends, since God loved us as much as that, we surely ought to love each other too. For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us and his love within us grows ever stronger. And he has put his own Holy Spirit into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living in him and he with us. And furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now tell all the world that God sent his Son to be their Savior. Anyone who believes and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is living with God."

"We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. GOD IS LOVE, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. And as we live with Christ, OUR LOVE GROWS more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy, because he loves us and we love him too."

"We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us, and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first."

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' but keeps on hating his brother and his sister, he is a liar; for if he doesn't love his brother and his sister who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen? And God himself has said that one must love not only God, but his brother and his sister too."
(I John 4:7-21)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

As we continue our achievement ladder journey in life, let us become AMBASSADORS OF LOVE since we will be reflecting GOD'S LOVE to all!

Time for a Change Haunts Change Agents

Whenever the topic of a Time for a Change, most skeptics warn that Change for Change Sake is a waste of precious time and energy. Most Change Agents have their own agenda and timetable for bringing about effective and efficient change. Time is a factor that affects all of us since we all have an equal opportunity to the same amount of time. Each of us receive a total of 168 hours a week to use as we see fit to use or to misuse. For many individuals, their slogan may be "sufficient for the day is the challenge thereof." For others, who are attempting to make significant change in their lives, their slogan may be, "One Day at a Time."

To consider some of the impacts of Time in our lives, let us consider some of the following thoughts:

1) Let us use Time and Motion studies to measure our productivity.
2) There is a stop watch for Time In and for Time Out...because we may be running out of time.
3) We want to accomplish our achievements in a timely manner by being on time, at the appointed times, and in the interest of time.
4) We have bad times; we have happy days that are here again; and we realize that time is of the essence.
5) Time flies when you are having fun; or I really do not have time for you.
6) Make time...getting the most out of my time...having good times...having not enough time...asking for extended time...and realizing we have time zones (EST, CST, MST, PST unless we are on Daylight Savings Time.
7) We are paid on time...we keep track of time...we use time sheets, time clocks, time stamps...
8) We waste time...we ask for time off...We have sick time..We have personal time..we have leisure time...we have vacation time...we have fun time...We have half time...and we realize that some day there will be an end of time.
9) We have the time of our life...We want accurate check of time...
10) "There is a time for everything...A time to be born...a time to die...a time to plant...a time to harvest...a time to kill..a time to heal...a time to destroy...a time to rebuild...a time to cry...a time to laugh...a time to grieve...a time to dance... a time for scattering stones...a time for gathering stones...a time to hug...a time not to hug...a time to find...a time to lose...a time for keeping...a time for throwing away...a time for tear...a time for repair...a time to be quiet...A TIME TO SPEAK UP! a time for loving...a time for hating...a time for war...A TIME FOR PEACE!"
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"Everything is appropriate in its own time...but though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men and women, even so, a man or a woman cannot see the whole score of God's work from beginning to end. First, there is nothing better for a man or a woman than to be happy and to enjoy himself or herself as long as he or she can. And he or she should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of his or her labors, FOR THESE ARE GIFTS FROM GOD."

How do you spend your time? Those who achieve success on and off the job are able to get the most out of their day (24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds) by adhering to rules such as the following:

1. Determine what you want from your time.
2. Determine how you currently use time.
3. Set priorities.
4. Establish realistic deadlines.
5. Use time efficiently and effectively.
6. Learn to delegate.
7. Do one thing at a time.
8. Employ time-saving techniques.
9. Avoid procrastination.
10. Learn to work "smarter," not harder!

"Time is a paradox: you never seem to have enough time, yet you have all the time there is. The problem is not a shortage of time, but HOW YOU CHOOSE TO USE THE TIME THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU." (Merrill Douglass, ABC Time Tips). "TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN OR WOMAN."

Memorial Day Weekend Salutes Military Heroes, Past and Present

Congratulations to all of those who have served and who are currently serving in the United States of America Military Services. We are proud of you for your desire, dedication, determination, discipline, diplomacy, and discernment in representing your Country in the past and in the present. We honor your bravery, your courage, your effectiveness, and your persistence in seeking out those persons, nations, and "terrorists" who represent a danger and a negative harm to the freedoms that are worth fighting for and protecting. We support you in your daily assignments in bringing about peace, joy, and love to those who have never experienced those precious virtues in their lives.

You may wonder about the daily "political negative spin" by elected officials and for those who are seeking to undermine your efforts to serve your Country by their less than patriotic methods and behaviors. You understand what your mission is and you accept that mission in its entirety. Many of your family members, relatives, and friends have continued to support you in the face of negative publicity and unfounded propaganda that shows its ugly head in least expected arenas. We encourage you to ignore the "ignorance" of these individuals who are "apparent traitors of their Country." We ask you to listen to the positive supportive persons who you trust because they "ring true."

You may remember a special prayer that has been passed down to us over the years. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

Thank you, men and women of the United States of America Military Services, for your perseverance in defending the honor, the respect, and the freedoms of the United States of America. Remember to thank all veterans for their service to our Country in the past, and remember to thank and to pray for all of those men and women who are currently serving in any capacity throughout the world. In a special way, REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR ALL MILITARY WHO HAVE SERVED OR WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING OUR BLESSED COUNTRY ON MONDAY, MAY 26, 2008, AT 3:00 PM. GOD LOVES YOU AND WE LOVE YOU! THANK YOU!

MEMORIAL DAY 2008 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT LADDER RECOGNITION AWARD

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM SOMEWHERE IN THIS WORLD. "The greatest love is shown when a person lays down their life for their friends; and you are my friends....You didn't choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce...The world would love you if you belonged to it; but you don't --for I chose you to come out of the world....So since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they listened to me, they would listen to you! The people of the world will persecute you because you belong to me, for they don't know God who sent me....O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these friends know you sent me. And I have revealed you to them, and will keep on revealing you so that the mighty LOVE you have for me may be in them, and I in them."

"Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...." Thank you, brothers and sisters, for giving your lives in sacrifice so that we may receive and enjoy the freedoms that are God-given. Help us to remember to avoid taking these precious freedoms for granted. May you encourage us with your heroic courage and bravery beyond the call of duty to respect and to honor the priceless civil rights of all human beings throughout the world and especially in our own United States of America.

"Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." Help us, brothers and sisters, to remember what really is important and what is the focal point in our lives. Let us dig down deep to ask pardon and forgiveness for all of our injustices, our prejudices, our stereotypes, our ignorances, our harassments, our bigotries, and our carelessness in fighting for the rights of the unborn, the handicapped, the elderly, the disabled, the strangers, the legal immigrants, the homeless, etc.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory now and forever. Amen." Help us to remember our priorities in saying...IN GOD WE TRUST!...And when we Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, the very Flag that all of our brothers and sisters died to defend by their bravery, let us remember to realize the meaning behind the words: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS...ONE NATION UNDER GOD....INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. Let us stand up for the United States of America and oppose any attempt to make our Blessed Country...A North American Union similar to a European Union...

"What can we do to save United States Sovereignty and stop integration with Canada and Mexico?
**Secure our borders by a real fence, more border guards, military if necessary.
**Prevent a North American Union and a NAFTA SuperHighway; support House Congressional Resolution 40...
**Enforce law to exclude Mexican trucks from U.S. roads.
**Prohibit federal funds to pay for Security and Prosperity Partnership working groups or to create NAFTA SuperHighways.
**Make any Social Security Totalization plan ineffective unless passed by Congress.
**Bar U.S. military from buying foreign products subsidized by their governments.
**Enforce the law against hiring illegal aliens.
**Defeat bills in Congress for amnesty or any kind of "comprehensive" immigration 'reform."
**Defeat all bills in Congress for increased guest workers or H-1B or L-1 visas.
**Support resolutions in state legislatures to bar a North American Union or a NAFTA SuperHighway.
**Support bills passed by states, counties, and cities to stop employers from hiring illegal aliens.
**Inform yourself on all of these previous topics."

Being aware of all of the agendas that are being presented behind closed doors to change our Beloved United States of America by Elitists is your best contribution to giving a positive memory to the men and women, our brothers and sisters, who sacrificed so much so that we may enjoy freedoms worth fighting for and defending in a positive, courageous manner expected of heroes.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES, THE FRIENDS, AND THE LOVED ONES OF OUR PATRIOTIC MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE COMMITMENT TO BE THERE FOR THEIR SONS, DAUGHTERS, FRIENDS, AND EXTENDED FAMILIES. Remember to stop for a silent moment on Memorial Day 2008 at 3:00 pm and pray for the repose of the souls of our dedicated men and women who gave their lives so that we may have FREEDOM!

WITH GREAT HONOR AND LOVING COMPASSION AND SPECIAL DIGNITY we salute and we remember OUR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT LADDER AWARD RECIPIENTS ON MEMORIAL DAY 2008!

Achievement Ladder Risks Challenges

For many years, individuals have been risk takers as well as risk adverse. In climbing up the success ladder of achievement, many persons have endured many challenges in obtaining their short term and their long term goals. Every goal planned in any sport expects the risk of falling short of the expected and the anticipated goal. Some risk takers are willing to go the extra mile or more to achieve what is realistically obtainable.

In the business arena, the rookie entrepreneur establishes a business plan for the short term and the long term haul. However, when circumstances occur beyond the scope of the budding want-to-be owner, the strategies by the entrepreneur have to be flexible to meet the new criteria for succeeding in this very competitive environment. When the stakeholder invests in the new business, the stakeholder expects a reasonable return on investment of time, talents, and treasures. The track record for new businesses starting out today over a ten year period shows a 15 percent retention rate. That means about 85 percent of the new businesses fail within the first ten years. Yes, there is hope for the new entrepreneur in a free-competitive atmosphere that requests a "laizzez faire" approach and a "hands off " from governmental entities that strangle the innovative and the creative talents of the novice entrepreneur. These entrepreneurs are risk takers and create new and lasting careers for any free-economic system.


There are some greedy individuals who like to be paid by the use of premiums for securing and protecting risks that may or may not occur for businesses and for individuals. The insurer says that the statistics are on their side regarding the probability and the possibility of risks in any given instant or situation. Individuals and businesses are willing to pay premiums for the unexpected and the "Acts of God" that may or may not happen in the future. However, when too many claims are made by the policy holders, the insurers are unwilling to accept a reduction of their profits. When this situation occurs, the policy holder is informed that the policy has been dropped without much warning or that the premiums will be doubled, tripled, or more to satisfy the greedy risk protectors.

During the past six months, a good example of an alleged "scam" that has been surfacing is the proposals by many "questionable insurers" to provide extended warranty coverage for automobiles that have run out of their initial warranty. E-mails, telephone calls, and direct mailings have been sent to automobile owners focusing on the "fear" approach to get extended warranty insurance. A word to the wise is sufficient. If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true! Use your judgment as you have done in the past. Work with reputable insurance providers cleared by the Better Business Bureau.

Another interesting "alleged practice by health providers" is to back bill patients for what a health insurance policy does not cover. For example, you receive a completed health insurance claim by your health insurance company. You read what the "health professionals" have requested for the claim, what the health insurance company actually allows for the claim, and what your co-payment is. If on subsequent statements by the health providers you notice unusual charges for their health services, you may want to check out the claim forms that you have received by the health insurer. If you notice a back charge for what the insurance did not cover, you may want to meet with the business office professionals to clarify these charges. In my experience, the health providers will work with you and correct these "incorrect" back charges.

Since there are so many risk challenges that we face everyday, be on guard to notice what is really your responsibility. Help make others accountable for their oversites and their "questionable" practices. Climbing the Achievement Ladder everyday gives us more opportunities to meet and to accept our risk challenges.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL, GED CENTER, AND HOME SCHOOLED GRADUATES FOR 2008

Congratulations to all High School, GED Center, and Home-Schooled Graduates for late May, June 2008. You have positively achieved the next level in your climb up and down the Ladder of Achievement. You have earned special recognition as Achievement Ladder Award Recipients for May, June 2008!

Remember all of the special persons who made these accomplishments possible in your learning growth....your parents, your relatives, your peers, your friends, your employers, your church, your community, and YOURSELF! You learned that desire, dedication, determination, discipline, discernment, dignity, and diplomacy were special ingredients that assisted you in saying, "I DID IT."

During this past term, a student indicated to me on the first day of class that he/she was a "Slow Learner." After a thoughtful pause, my comment was, "You mean that you "Learn Slowly, but you LEARN!" The student's smile on that first day said volumes that would be hard to locate in any textbook...IT WAS PRICELESS!...This student earned a very positive grade before the end of the term, but what this student really earned was a increase in self-esteem and a positive image of himself/herself. Future positive learning experiences were made possible by understanding learning styles and a self-confidence to meet the aptitudes, the visionary altitude, and positive attitude for this student's career choices and challenges.

Although the top ten percent and the lowest ten percent of the students in any learning environment received special attention, the neglected eighty percent of the students in the middle are usually asked to fend for themselves. These students are the voters, the workers, the community leaders, the "nobodies," and the "outcasts" in many of our communities. Many "orphaned" students will find themselves in the short term and sometimes in the long term seeking the careers that best fit their special aptitudes, their chosen altitudes, and their wavering attitudes. They may sometimes feel, "Does anyone really care about me?" They want to find individuals that they can really trust. Can they find the person or persons who say, "People do not care about what you know, but how much you care about them." Congratulations to all of the graduates who had to accomplish the impossible in many improbable situations. "YOU DID IT."

Again, Congratulations to all high school, GED completer, and Home-Schooled Graduates for 2008. "Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life. Guard it well!" (Proverbs 4:13)

IDES OF MAY 2008 ACHIEVEMENT LADDER RECOGNITION AWARD TO ALL MOTHERS

This following article appeared in the Tampa Tribune a few years ago entitled, "Smiles." This article is appropriate to share with you as a Tribute to All Mothers worldwide.

"One day, a young boy asked his Mom, 'Why are you crying?' 'Because I'm a woman,' she told him. 'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will, but that's OK.'

"Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does Mom seem to cry for no reason?' 'All women sometimes cry for no reason' was all his Dad could say.

"The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally, he put in a call to God. When God got back to him, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?' God answered: 'When I made woman, I decided she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet her arms gentle enough to give comfort.'

"I gave her the inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times will come, even from her own children. I have her a hardness that allows her to keep going and take care of her family and friends, even when everyone else gives up, through sickness and fatigue, without complaining.'

"I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her badly. She has the very special power to make a child's boo-b00 feel better and to quell a teenager's anxieties and fears.'

"I gave her strength to care for her husband despite his faults, and I fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife but sometimes tests her strengths and resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.'

"For all of this hard work, I also gave her a tear to shed. It is hers to use whenever needed and is her only weakness. When you see her cry, tell her how much you love her and all she does for everyone. And even though she may still cry, you will have made her heart feel good. KNOW THAT SHE IS SPECIAL!"

For all of the special traits of a Mother, I found an alphabet of listings that will still be incomplete. You have the right to add to this following listing:

A - ADMIRED, ACHIEVER
B - BEAUTIFUL, BOUNTIFUL IN LOVE
C - CREATIVE, CHALLENGER, COURAGEOUS
D - DEDICATED, DIGNIFIED
E - EFFICIENT, ENTERPRISING
F - FAITHFUL, FRUITFUL
G - GRACIOUS, GRATEFUL
H - HEALTHY, HUMOROUS
I - INGENIOUS, INSPIRATIONAL
J - JOYFUL, JOVIAL
K - KINDNESS
L - LOVABLE, LOVING
M - MATURE, MATERNAL
N - NURTURING
O - OPEN, OPPORTUNIST
P - PIOUS, PERSEVERING
Q - QUIET, QUEENSHIP
R - RESPECTFUL, RESPECTED
S - SINCERE, SMILING
T - TEACHER, TRUSTWORTHY
U - UNDERSTANDING
V - VIRTUOUS, VICTORIOUS, VENTURESOME
W - WISDOM, WITTY
X - eXTRORDINARY...BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
Y - YOUTHFUL
Z - ZEALOUS, ZENITH

Imagine the titles that Mothers seem to assume as an intregal part of their special mission in our challenging world:

A - ADMINISTRATOR, ARTIST, AUTO MECHANIC
B - BAKER, BANKER, BEAUTICIAN
C - CHEF, CHAUFFEUR
D - DENTAL ASSISTANT
E - ELECTRICIAN, ENTREPRENEUR
F - FABRICATOR
G - GARBOLOGIST
H - HOSPITALITY MARKETER, HEALTH PROVIDER
I - INNOVATOR, INVENTOR, INVESTIGATOR
J - JOBBER, JANITOR, JOURNALIST, JUDGE, JESTER
K - KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE
L - LEGAL ANALYST
M - MARKETING MANAGER, MECHANIC, MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
N - NURSING ADMINISTRATOR
O - OPPORTUNIST, OCULIST
P - PLUMBER
Q - QUANDARY EXPERT
R - REGISTRAR, RECORDS MANAGER
S - SEASONED TRAVELER, SYNDICATOR
T - TEACHER
U - UNDERWRITER
V - VETERINARIAN
W - WARDROBE DESIGNER
X - XYLOGRAPHER
Y - YOUTH DIRECTOR
Z - ZOOLOGIST

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MOTHERS WORLDWIDE AS OUR IDES OF MAY 2008 ACHIEVEMENT LADDER AWARD RECIPIENTS. "Thanks Mom for the gifts of life and love, it is great to be alive."

Since Mothers' Day is everyday throughout the year, this following prayer may be fitting and appropriate to share with you:

"THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON EARTH IS A MOTHER"

The Most Important Person on Earth is a Mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral--a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body...The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: TO BE A MOTHER!? (Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty)"

Ides of May 2008 Special Tribute to Womanhood

"The Lord God said: 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.'... So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, the Lord took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib He had taken from the man. When He brought her to the man, the man said: 'This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called "woman," for out of 'her man' this one has been taken. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." (Genesis 2:18, 21-24)

Many years ago in my ongoing research I discovered another interesting and fascinating verse by an unknown author. Here is the special verse:

"Woman was made from the rib of man. She was not created from his head - to top him nor from his feet - to be stepped upon. She was made from his side - to be equal to him...from beneath his arm...to be protected by him...near his heart...TO BE LOVED BY HIM." (Author unknown)

In addition to the preceding verse, I received this following article in an email from some very good friends. This is worth sharing with all of you especially the men who need to form a better attitude and a positive respect for all women.

"By the time the Lord made woman, He was into His sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, 'Why are you spending so much time on this one?' And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet Coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart--and she will do everything with only two hands.'

"The angel was astounded at the requirements. 'Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.' But I won't, 'the Lord protested. 'I am close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick and can work 18-hour days.' The angel moved closer and touched the woman. 'But you have made her so soft, Lord.' 'She is soft,' the Lord agreed. 'But I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.'

"Will she be able to think?' asked the angel. The Lord replied, 'Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate.' The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. 'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.' 'That's not a leak,' the Lord corrected. 'That's a tear!' 'What's the tear for?' the angel asked. The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing joy, sorrow, pain, disappointment, love, loneliness, grief, and pride.'

"The angel was impressed. ' You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing.' AND SHE IS! Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love, and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can help to heal a broken heart.'

"Women come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or email you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning, bringing joy and hope, compassion and ideals, and giving moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. However, if there's one flaw in women, it is that they tend to forget their own worth. Pass this along to your woman friends to remind them HOW AMAZING THEY ARE! (Original source unknown)"

Proud Heritage, Promising Future for Achievement Leaders

"Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life. Guard it well!" (Proverbs 4:13). More than thirty-seven years ago, our blessed United States of America was undergoing some very trying economic times. No one wanted to use the "R" word in speaking about the economic situation that we once experienced. Do you remember the "odd-even" days in Pennsylvania when you went to fill up your gas tank? Do you remember the long lines at various gas stations? Do you remember the frustrations that travelers experienced when they were expected to drive at the top speed of "55 miles speed limit"? Do you remember the "gas hungry" automobiles at that time? Do you remember the questions of improving the gas efficiency of the automobiles to conserve limited "gas reserves"? Was the small vehicle and the new technology the only answer?

Do you remember the myths that we were told by the "elitists" to conserve our limited resources in the United States and worldwide? Do you remember that gasoline ration stamps were printed by the United States Government in the event of a "freeze" on obtaining gasoline by the typical consumer? Yes, we learned how to recycle many "throwaways" that we took for granted! Yes, we learned that conservation and ecology is good for all good stewards of "Mother Earth." Yes, we also learned that some people even talked about ZPG (Zero Population Growth) as a way of halting the need for limited resources worldwide. Yes, we learned that some people would go to any length to restrict the birth of any unborn at any cost...even death to the unborn. At the other end of the spectrum, we learned that some individuals "questioned" the value of any persons over the age of 65. What is the value of human life.....PRICELESS!

Yes, we are now experiencing another economic crisis that we will find viable solutions by stepping outside of the box of conventional thinking. Yes, we have learned to be more discerning about the "spin masters" of deceit who continue to cloud our minds with inaccurate information and provide "hopelessness." Let us continue in our strides to renew our efforts to respect the limited resources that we have been given to our blessed Nation. In addition, let us rethink how we can learn to make better use of not only our natural resources, but also our human resources who will find the solutions to our present and future challenges. As the saying goes, "It is not the size of the person in the fight that counts, but the size of the fight in the person that really counts."

Achievement Ladder Recognizes 2008 College Graduates

Congratulations to all of the 2008 Florida Community College and University graduates. You all have a right to be proud of your accomplishments whether you completed your degree in two years, four years, six years, eight years, or even twenty years. You continued on your Ladder of Achievement in spite of all of the challenges that daily life presents to you, which includes being a single parent, a disabled or special person, a health-challenged person, or any other circumstance that makes completing your degree especially noteworthy. Many of you graduates have contributed your time, your talents, and your treasures to your community in ways that will never be mentioned in the media. However, you know what you have succeeded in creating a better world for all of us to live.

In attending the 106th St. Petersburg College Graduation Ceremony at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, many of us were touched with the testimonials of the graduates who have made a difference in our communities. Each person graduating really has their own biography of their adventure in obtaining and completing their degree requirements. Each graduate has a fascinating tale of how they were encouraged by family, friends, business associates, counselors, administrators, and staff. Most of the graduates would indicate a professor, a teacher, or an associate that gave them the necessary push to continue on in the climb up the Ladder of Achievement success. To say, "I did it," means that they acknowledge the assistance of some many wonderful people. In addition, positive progress has been made that will benefit the individual graduate as well as all of those fortunate individuals who will be on the receiving end of their fine-tuned career skills.

Congratulations to all of those persons will be receiving their college degrees this month and especially for all of those special high school students who receive both their high school diploma and their Associate Degree degree as a product of dual enrollment. Using all of the technologies that are now available to the learner, may all persons seek to maximize their aptitudes and talents through the "Classroom With Walls" as well as the "Classroom Without Walls." May the non-traditional college student be respected and be given the opportunity to grow and to participate in their positive climb of their Ladder of Achievement with desire, dedication, determination, dignity, discipline, and discernment.

"Always remember what you have learned. Your Education is your Life. Guard it well!" (Proverbs 4:13) Carpe Diem! Just Do It. Give your 100 percent daily!